1 Kings 12:13

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

And the king answered the people harshly. He rejected the advice of the elders

American Standard Version (1901)

And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him,

Bible in Basic English

And the king gave them a rough answer, giving no attention to the suggestion of the old men;

Free Bible Version

The king answered the people sharply. Dismissing the advice of the elders,

Geneva Bible 1599

And the king answered the people sharpely, and left the old mens counsell that they gaue him,

King James (Authorized) Version

And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him;

Translation for Translators

The king ignored the advice of the older men and spoke harshly to the Israeli leaders.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The king answered the people roughly and ignored the advice of the old men that they had given him.

Noah Webster Bible

And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him;

World English Bible

The king answered the people roughly, and abandoned the counsel of the old men which they had given him,

Young's Literal Translation

And the king answereth the people sharply, and forsaketh the counsel of the elders which they counselled him,

Context

Rebellion against Rehoboam

¹²After three days, Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, since the king had said, “Come back to me on the third day.”¹³And the king answered the people harshly. He rejected the advice of the elders¹⁴and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.”

Summary

In this verse, Rehoboam, the son of King Solomon, seeks advice from the elders who had served his father. However, he rejects their counsel to lighten the burden on the people, choosing instead to follow the advice of his peers. This decision ultimately leads to the division of the kingdom of Israel, fulfilling the prophecy of God's judgment. The verse serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of pride, arrogance, and the importance of seeking wise counsel in leadership.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And spake to them after the counsel of the young men,.... And in the very language in which they gave it: saying, my father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke; my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions; see Gill on Kg1 12:11.