This chapter is copied almost verbatim from
1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king. 2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt. 3 And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying, 4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee. 5 And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed. 6 And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people? 7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever. 8 But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him. 9 And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us? 10 And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. 11 For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
We may observe here, 1. The wisest and best
cannot give every body content. Solomon enriched and advanced his
kingdom, did all (one would think) that could be done to make then
happy and easy; and yet either he was indiscreet in burdening them
with the imposition of taxes and services, or at least there was
some colour of reason to think him so. No man is perfectly wise. It
is probable that it was when Solomon had declined from God and his
duty that his wisdom failed him, and God left him to himself to act
in this impolitic manner. Even Solomon's treasures were exhausted
by his love of women; and probably it was to maintain them, and
their pride, luxury, and idolatry, that he burdened his subjects.
2. Turbulent and ungrateful spirits will find fault with the
government, and complain of grievances, when they have very little
reason to do so. Had they not peace in Solomon's time? They were
never plundered by invaders, as formerly, never put in fear by the
alarms of war, nor obliged to hazard their lives in the high places
of the field. Had they not plenty—meat enough, and money enough?
What would they more? O fortunatos nimium, sua si bona
norint!—O happy, if they knew their happy state! And
yet they complain that Solomon made their yoke grievous. If any
complain thus of the yoke of Christ, that they might have a
pretence to break his bands in sunder and cast away his cords from
them, we are sure that he never gave them any cause at all for the
complaint, whatever Solomon did. His yoke is easy, and his
burden is light. He never made us serve with an offering,
nor wearied us with incense. 3. Many ruin themselves and their
interests by trampling upon and provoking their inferiors. Rehoboam
thought that because he was king he might assume as much authority
as his father had done, might have what he would, and do what he
would, and carry all before him. But, though he wore his father's
crown, he wanted his father's brains, and ought to have considered
that, being quite a different man from what his father was, he
ought to take other measures. Such a wise man as Solomon may do as
we will, but such a fool as Rehoboam must do as he can. The
high-mettled horse may be kicked and spurred by him that has the
art of managing him; but, if an unskilful horseman do it, it is at
his peril. Rehoboam paid dearly for threatening, and talking big,
and thinking to carry matters with a high hand. It was Job's
wisdom, as well as his virtue, that he despised not the cause of
his man-servant or maid-servant, when they argued with him
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12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day. 13 And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, 14 And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 15 So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the Lord might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 16 And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents. 17 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. 18 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. 19 And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
We may learn here, 1. That when public
affairs are in a ferment violent proceedings do but make bad worse.
Rough answers (such as Rehoboam here gave) do but stir up anger and
bring oil to the flames. The pilot has need to steer steadily in a
storm. Many have been driven to the mischief they did not intend by
being too severely dealt with for what they did intend. 2. That,
whatever the devices and designs of men are, God is, by all, doing
his own work, and fulfilling the word which he has spoken, no iota
or tittle of which shall fall to the ground. The cause of the
king's obstinacy and thoughtlessness was of God, that he might
perform the word which he spoke by Ahijah,