1 Kings 12:3

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel came to Rehoboam and said,

American Standard Version (1901)

and they sent and called him), that Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying,

Bible in Basic English

And all the men of Israel came to Rehoboam and said,

Free Bible Version

The Israelite leaders sent for him. Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israelites went to talk with Rehoboam.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then they sent and called him: and Ieroboam and all the Congregation of Israel came, and spake vnto Rehoboam, saying,

King James (Authorized) Version

That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying,

Translation for Translators

The leaders of the northern tribes summoned him, and they went together to talk to Rehoboam. They said to him,

Unlocked Literal Bible

So they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and said to Rehoboam,

Noah Webster Bible

That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,

World English Bible

and they sent and called him), Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came, and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,

Young's Literal Translation

that they send and call for him; and they come — Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel — and speak unto Rehoboam, saying,

Context

Rebellion against Rehoboam

²When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard about this, he was still in Egypt where he had fled from King Solomon and had been living ever since.³So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel came to Rehoboam and said,⁴“Your father put a heavy yoke on us. But now you should lighten the burden of your father’s service and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.”

Summary

In this verse, we see Rehoboam, the son of King Solomon, seeking counsel from the elders who had served his father. This demonstrates wisdom and humility on Rehoboam's part, as he recognizes the value of seeking advice from those with experience and knowledge. However, this action also sets the stage for a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as the decision Rehoboam makes based on the counsel he receives will have far-reaching consequences. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking wise counsel and making decisions with careful consideration of the advice given.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

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 all the congregation of Israel, came; the chief men of them, the heads of the people; these, with Jeroboam at the head of them, who was come out of Egypt, came to Shechem, where Rehoboam was, and they had appointed to meet him: and spake unto Rehoboam; one in the name of them all, perhaps Jeroboam: saying; as follows. (e) So Pagninus, Montanus.