1 Kings 12:6-19

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 12:16-24

We have here the rending of the kingdom of the ten tribes from the house of David, to effect which, I. The people were hold and resolute in their revolt. They highly resented the provocation that Rehoboam had given them, were incensed at his menaces, concluded that that government would in the progress of it be intolerably grievous which in the beginning of it was so very haughty, and therefore immediately came to this resolve, one and all: What portion have we in David? 1 Kgs. 12:16. They... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:6

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: and said, how do you advise, that I may answer this people ? what answer would you advise me to give to them, and in what manner? read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:7

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 doing service to them; hence Antigonus F6 Apud Aelian. Var. Hist. l. 2. c. 20. , a king, mild, humble, and gentle, perceiving his son to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:8

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 the advice given him by the old men, but to seek for other: and consulted with the men, that were grown up with him, and which stood before... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:9

And he said unto them, what counsel give ye, that we may answer this people, saying ,.... See Gill on 1 Kings 12:4 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:10

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" F7 עבה "grossior est", V. L. Pagninus; "densior est", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. signifying that he had more strength and power than his father had, and that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:11

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: my father hath chastised you with whips ; which was putting a lie into his mouth, and which he uttered, 1 Kings 12:14 for no... read more

John Gill

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

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 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:13

And the king answered the people roughly ,.... In a blustering manner, gave them hard words and severe menaces, being worked up to such a spirit by his young counsellors: and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him : to give them good words and kind promises. read more

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