1 Kings 12:9

Verse

He asked them, “What message do you advise that we send back to these people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”

American Standard Version (1901)

And he said unto them, What counsel give ye, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that thy father did put upon us lighter?

Bible in Basic English

And said to them, What is your opinion? What answer are we to give to this people who have said to me, Make less the weight of the yoke which your father put on us?

Free Bible Version

He asked them, “What response do you advise that we send back to these people who have told me, ‘Lighten the burden your father put on us’?”

Geneva Bible 1599

And he said vnto them, What counsell giue ye, that we may answere this people, which haue spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke, which thy father did put vpon vs, lighter?

King James (Authorized) Version

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?

Translation for Translators

He said to them, “What should I say to the men who are asking me to reduce the work and taxes that my father required from them?”

Unlocked Literal Bible

He said to them, “What advice do you give me that we may answer the people who spoke to me and said, 'Lighten the yoke that your father put on us'?”

Noah Webster Bible

And he said to 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?

World English Bible

He said to them, “What counsel do you give, that we may answer these people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Make the yoke that your father put on us lighter’?”

Young's Literal Translation

and he saith unto them, 'What are ye counselling, and we answer this people, who have spoken unto me, saying, Lighten [somewhat] of the yoke that thy father put upon us?'

Context

Rebellion against Rehoboam

⁸But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him.⁹He asked them, “What message do you advise that we send back to these people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”

Summary

In this verse, Rehoboam, the son of King Solomon, seeks counsel from the elders who had served his father. However, he rejects their advice to lighten the burden on the people, choosing instead to follow the counsel of his peers. This decision ultimately leads to the division of the kingdom of Israel, highlighting the consequences of pride, arrogance, and poor leadership. The verse serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of seeking wise counsel and making decisions with humility and consideration for the well-being of others.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And he said unto them, what counsel give ye, that we may answer this people, saying,.... See Gill on Kg1 12:4. . 1 Kings 12:10 kg1 12:10 kg1 12:10 kg1 12:10And 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, Kg1 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 and power than his father had, and that he would make them know it, and they should feel the weight of it, and instead of lessening he would increase their taxes; for also hereby was intimated, that his glory, grandeur, and magnificence, was greater than his father's, especially when he first came to the kingdom, and therefore required the same taxes, or greater, to support it; and perhaps reference may be had to the difference of their age, Solomon being a child, or a very young man, when he came to the throne; whereas Rehoboam was upwards of forty years of age, and capable of judging what was fit to be done, and not to be talked to and treated after this manner, nor to receive the kingdom upon a condition of the people's prescribing. (g) "grossior est", V. L. Pagninus; "densior est", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.