1 Kings 12:4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 12:1-15

Solomon had 1000 wives and concubines, yet we read but of one son he had to bear up his name, and he a fool. It is said (Hos. 4:10), They shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase. Sin is a bad way of building up a family. Rehoboam was the son of the wisest of men, yet did not inherit his father's wisdom, and then it stood him in little stead to inherit his father's throne. Neither wisdom nor grace runs in the blood. Solomon came to the crown very young, yet he was then a wise man.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:4

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 the honour and grandeur of their nation, and they enjoyed their liberty, and lived in peace, plenty, and safety all his days; and such an abundance... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 12:4

The grievous service - and - heavy yoke - They seem here to complain of two things - excessively laborious service, and a heavy taxation. At first it is supposed Solomon employed no Israelite in drudgery: afterwards, when he forsook the God of compassion, he seems to have used them as slaves, and to have revived the Egyptian bondage. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 12:1-5

The Dead and the Living. "The king is dead; long live the king!" This paradox expresses an important truth. Bathsheba recognized it when David on his deathbed promised her that Solomon, her son, should succeed him on the throne, and she said, "Let my lord king David live forever" ( 1 Kings 1:31 ). I. SOLOMON IS DEAD . 1 . His active form is no longer seen . 2 . Where is the disembodied spirit? II. BUT HE SURVIVES IN REHOBOAM . This fact is the ground... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 12:1-20

The accomplishment of the predicted judgment. I. DANGERS OFTEN COME DISGUISED . 1 . It was a time of joyous expectation . Nothing betokened the nearness of rebellion and disaster. All Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. There was no dispute about the succession, and no unwillingness to own the sway of the house of David. All was hopeful. Danger may lurk in joy like a venomous insect in a flower. 2 . The people's request was reasonable . Rehoboam could... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 12:4

Thy father made our yoke [see for the literal sense of the word, Numbers 19:2 ; Deuteronomy 21:3 , etc.; for its tropical use, Le Deuteronomy 26:13 ; Deuteronomy 28:48 , etc.] grievous [Heb. heavy . Was this complaint a just one? It is one which occasions us some surprise, as the reign of Solomon had not only been glorious, but the people had apparently enjoyed the greatest plenty and prosperity ( 1 Kings 4:20 , 1 Kings 4:25 ; cf. 1 Kings 8:66 ). Bishop Hall, Bähr, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 12:4

The complaint was probably twofold. The Israelites no doubt complained in part of the heavy weight of taxation laid upon them for the maintenance of the monarch and his court 1 Kings 4:19-23. But their chief grievance was the forced labor to which they had been subjected 1 Kings 5:13-14; 1 Kings 11:28. Forced labor has been among the causes leading to insurrection in many ages and countries. It helped to bring about the French Revolution, and it was for many years one of the principal... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 12:4

1 Kings 12:4. Thy father made our yoke grievous By heavy taxes and impositions, not only for the temple and his magnificent buildings, but for the expenses of his numerous court, and of so many wives and concubines, and the maintenance of so many chariots and horses. Thus they began with a complaint against the former government; and, as Solomon had so grossly forsaken God, it is no wonder if he oppressed the people. The burdens, however, of which they complain, could not be so heavy as... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:1-24

Click image for full-size version12:1-16:28 EARLY DAYS OF THE DIVIDED KINGDOMRevolt against Rehoboam (12:1-24)From the time of the judges there had been tension between Judah and the northern tribes, particularly Ephraim. Rehoboam apparently knew of the possibility that the northern tribes would break away from him, and therefore he arranged for a special coronation ceremony in Shechem, one of the more important northern cities (12:1).Jeroboam decided immediately that he would test Rehoboam’s... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 12:4

made our yoke grievous. Made by Jeroboam himself owing to the opportunity afforded by Solomon's action (1 Kings 11:28 ). read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 12:1-15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 12:4

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 12:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 12:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 12:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 12:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 12:4

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:1-24

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 12:4

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