52 matching verse commentaries
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 12 This chapter relates Rehoboam's going to Shechem to be made king, and Jeroboam's return from Egypt, 1 Kings 12:1, the people's request to Rehoboam to be eased of their taxes, as the condition of making him king, 1 Kings 12:3, his answer to them, after three days, having had the advice both of the old and young men, which...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And Rehoboam went to Shechem,.... After the death and internment of his father: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king: as was pretended, though in reality it was to seek occasion against him, and make Jeroboam king; it is very probable they knew of the prophecy of Ahijah, and therefore would not go to Jerusalem, but to Shechem, a...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
The glory of the kingdom of Israel was in its height and perfection in Solomon; it was long in coming to it, but it soon declined, and began to sink and wither in the very next reign, as we find in this chapter, where we have the kingdom divided, and thereby weakened and made little in comparison with what it had been. Here is, I. Rehoboam's...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam. The son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) that they sent and called him. It was a sure sign of great discontent when the people sent for...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it,.... Of the death of Solomon, and of the meeting of the Israelites at Shechem: (for he was fled from the presence of King Solomon; see 1 Kings 11:40 and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) until the death of Solomon; some render the words, "Jeroboam, returned out of...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
That they sent and called him,.... That is, the people of Israel, some of the principal of them, especially of the tribe of Ephraim, sent messengers to him, and gave him an invitation to come to them at Shechem; or, they had sent (e), as Kimchi interprets it, which was the reason of his returning from Egypt, at least one of them: and Jeroboam, and...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. This was a very natural request; these Oriental monarchs took their thrones as by a kind of...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Thy father made our yoke grievous,.... Laid heavy taxes upon them, for the finishing of his buildings, for the maintenance of his household, for keeping such a large number of horses and chariots, and for the salaries of his officers, and for the support of his magnificent court; though they had very little reason to complain, since this was for...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And he said unto them, depart yet for three days, then come again to me,.... Suggesting that he would consider of their proposal and inquire into the merits of it and as things should appear to him he would give them an answer in three days time; which at first sight may seem a point of prudence in him, to take time for deliberation and counsel in...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed. One commentator says that it is the only sign of wisdom that there is in Rehoboam, that he took three days to consider the answer to this question. Peradventure, if he had answered it rightly, it would have been better if answered immediately. Still,...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And King Rehoboam consulted with the old men that stood before Solomon his father, while he yet lived,.... Which was very prudently done; for as these were men in years, and had been his father's counsellors, from whom, do doubt, they had learnt much wisdom, being often in cabinet council with him, they were capable of giving him the best advice:...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And they spake unto him, saying,.... They gave their advice as follows: if thou wilt be servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them; condescend to them, behave in an humble manner towards them, for this day however, and gratify and oblige them; though indeed a king is but a servant to his people, and his administration of government a...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him,.... He did not rightly relish it, nor cordially receive it; it did not suit with his haughty temper, he could not brook it, to stoop to his people; he thought it a lessening of his dignity to do anything that looked like courting their favour; and therefore determined not to take...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And he said unto them, what counsel give ye, that we may answer this people, saying,.... [See comments on 1 Kings 12:4].
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And the young men that were grown up with him, spake unto him, saying,.... Gave him the following advice: thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying; as is said, 1 Kings 12:4 thus shall thou say unto them, my little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins; or, "is thicker" (g) signifying that he had more strength...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And now, whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke,.... Which was putting words into his mouth, owning the charge and accusation brought against his father, as he did, 1 Kings 12:14, which was very unbecoming, if true; unless this is said according to the sense of the people: I will add to your yoke; make it heavier, lay more taxes on them:...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day,.... Jeroboam came to him at the head of the people, being the head of the faction, and designed for their king: as the king had appointed, saying, come to me again the third day; see 1 Kings 12:5.
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him; and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke:...