121 Then Rehoboam went to Shechem , for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king . 2 Now when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it, he was living in Egypt (for he was yet in Egypt , where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon ). 3 Then they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam , saying , 4 " Your father made our yoke hard ; now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you." 5 Then he said to them, " Depart for three days , then return to me." So the people departed . 6 King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served e his father Solomon while he was still alive , saying , "How do you counsel me to answer e this people ?" 7 Then they spoke to him, saying , " If you will be a servant to this people today , and will serve them and grant them their petition , and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever e ." 8 But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served e him. 9 So he said to them, "What counsel do you give that we may answer e this people who have spoken to me, saying , 'Lighten the yoke which your father put on us'?" 10 The young men who grew up with him spoke to him, saying , "Thus you shall say to this people who spoke to you, saying , 'Your father made our yoke heavy , now you make it lighter for us!' But you shall speak to them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's loins ! 11 'Whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke , I will add to your yoke ; my father disciplined you with whips , but I will discipline you with scorpions .' " 12 Then Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day as the king had directed , saying , " Return to me on the third day ." 13 The king answered the people harshly , for he forsook the advice of the elders which they had given him, 14 and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men , saying , " My father made your yoke heavy , but I will add to your yoke ; my father disciplined you with whips , but I will discipline you with scorpions ." 15 So the king did not listen to the people ; for it was a turn of events from the Lord , that He might establish His word , which the Lord spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 12:1-15
Commentary on 1 Kings 12:1-15
(Read 1 Kings 12:1-15)
The tribes complained not to Rehoboam of his father's idolatry, and revolt from God. That which was the greatest grievance, was none to them; so careless were they in matters of religion, if they might live at case, and pay no taxes. Factious spirits will never want something to complain of. And when we see the Scripture account of Solomon's reign; the peace, wealth, and prosperity Israel then enjoyed; we cannot doubt but that their charges were false, or far beyond the truth. Rehoboam answered the people according to the counsel of the young men. Never was man more blinded by pride, and desire of arbitrary power, than which nothing is more fatal. God's counsels were hereby fulfilled. He left Rehoboam to his own folly, and hid from his eyes the things which belonged to his peace, that the kingdom might be rent from him. God serves his own wise and righteous purposes by the imprudences and sins of men. Those that lose the kingdom of heaven, throw it away, as Rehoboam, by wilfulness and folly.