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1 Kings 12:14 and 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."
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My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_kings/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />and followed the counsel of his younger advisers. He told the people, “My father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_kings/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />and 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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_kings/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father <i>also</i> chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_kings/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_kings/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_kings/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_kings/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_kings/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_kings/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and spoke to them in accordance with the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but as for me, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_kings/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and spoke to them according to the young men’s advice: “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with barbed whips.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_kings/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and spoke to them according to the young men’s advice: “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with barbed whips.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_kings/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_kings/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He spoke bluntly and told them exactly what his own advisors had suggested: "My father made you work hard, but I'll make you work even harder. He punished you with whips, but I'll use whips with pieces of sharp metal!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_kings/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_kings/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He spoke to them as the young men advised. He said, "If my father made your burden heavy, I will add to it. If my father punished you with whips, I will punish you with scorpions."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_kings/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />as the younger men had advised. He said, "My father placed heavy burdens on you; I will make them even heavier. He beat you with whips; I'll flog you with bullwhips!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_kings/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Instead, Rehoboam spoke to them along the lines of what the younger men suggested. He told them "My father burdened you heavily, but I will add to that burden. If my father disciplined you with whips, I'm going to discipline you with scorpions!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_kings/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />and 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.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_kings/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />and followed the advice of the younger ones. He said, "My father imposed heavy demands on you; I will make them even heavier. My father punished you with ordinary whips; I will punish you with whips that really sting your flesh."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_kings/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_kings/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_kings/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_kings/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and speaks to them, according to the counsel of the boys, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, and I add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, and I discipline you with scorpions”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_kings/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and speaketh unto them, according to the counsel of the lads, saying, 'My father made your yoke heavy, and I add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, and I -- I chastise you with scorpions;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_kings/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will speak to them according to the counsel of the children, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add upon your yoke: my father chastised you with whips and I will chastise you with scorpions.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_kings/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying: My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke: my father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_kings/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying: “My father weighed down your yoke, but I will add more to your yoke. My father cut you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_kings/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He spoke to them as the young men had advised: “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will make it heavier. My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with knouts.<CL>And went after the prophet of God, and found him sitting under an oak; and he said to him, Are you the prophet of God who came from Judah? And he said, I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_kings/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men: “My father hardened your yoke; I shall add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips and I shall chastise you with pointy tipped scourges.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_kings/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying: 'My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_kings/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_kings/12-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=4850" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/12.htm">Rebellion Against Rehoboam</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>And the king answered the people harshly. He rejected the advice of the elders <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: way·ḏab·bêr (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">and spoke</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. ">to them</a> <a href="/hebrew/3206.htm" title="3206: hay·lā·ḏîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Child, son, boy, youth. From yalad; something born, i.e. A lad or offspring.">as the young men</a> <a href="/hebrew/6098.htm" title="6098: ka·‘ă·ṣaṯ (Prep-k:: N-fsc) -- Counsel, advice. From ya'ats; advice; by implication, plan; also prudence.">had advised,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">“Whereas my father</a> <a href="/hebrew/5923.htm" title="5923: ‘ul·lə·ḵem (N-msc:: 2mp) -- A yoke. Or mowl; from alal; a yoke, literally or figuratively.">made your yoke</a> <a href="/hebrew/3513.htm" title="3513: hiḵ·bîḏ (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- Or kabed; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. In a bad sense or in a good sense (in the same two senses).">heavy,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: wa·’ă·nî (Conj-w:: Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/3254.htm" title="3254: ’ō·sîp̄ (V-Hifil-Imperf-1cs) -- To add. A primitive root; to add or augment.">will add</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/5923.htm" title="5923: ‘ul·lə·ḵem (N-msc:: 2mp) -- A yoke. Or mowl; from alal; a yoke, literally or figuratively.">your yoke.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">Whereas my father</a> <a href="/hebrew/3256.htm" title="3256: yis·sar (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To discipline, chasten, admonish. A primitive root; to chastise, literally or figuratively; hence, to instruct.">scourged</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ·ḵem (DirObjM:: 2mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/7752.htm" title="7752: baš·šō·w·ṭîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- A scourge, whip. From shuwt; a lash.">with whips,</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: wa·’ă·nî (Conj-w:: Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/3256.htm" title="3256: ’ă·yas·sêr (V-Piel-Imperf-1cs) -- To discipline, chasten, admonish. A primitive root; to chastise, literally or figuratively; hence, to instruct.">will scourge</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ·ḵem (DirObjM:: 2mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/6137.htm" title="6137: bā·‘aq·rab·bîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Scorpion. Of uncertain derivation; a scorpion; figuratively, a scourge or knotted whip.">with scorpions.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>So the king did not listen to the people, and indeed this turn of events was from the LORD, to fulfill the word He had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/10-14.htm">2 Chronicles 10:14</a></span><br />and 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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/12-10.htm">1 Kings 12:10-11</a></span><br />The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you must make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! / Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-1.htm">Proverbs 15:1</a></span><br />A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/29-12.htm">Proverbs 29:12</a></span><br />If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/13-7.htm">2 Chronicles 13:7</a></span><br />Then worthless and wicked men gathered around him to resist Rehoboam son of Solomon when he was young, inexperienced, and unable to resist them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-14.htm">Exodus 1:14</a></span><br />and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/8-11.htm">1 Samuel 8:11-18</a></span><br />He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to serve his own chariots and horses, and to run in front of his chariots. / He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. / And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-4.htm">Isaiah 9:4</a></span><br />For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-3.htm">Isaiah 14:3</a></span><br />On the day that the LORD gives you rest from your pain and torment, and from the hard labor into which you were forced,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/27-11.htm">Jeremiah 27:11-12</a></span><br />But the nation that will put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will leave in its own land, to cultivate it and reside in it, declares the LORD.” / And to Zedekiah king of Judah I spoke the same message: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and live!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-25.htm">Matthew 20:25-28</a></span><br />But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-4.htm">Matthew 23:4</a></span><br />They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-42.htm">Mark 10:42-45</a></span><br />So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-25.htm">Luke 22:25-27</a></span><br />So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors. / But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. / For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-10.htm">Acts 15:10</a></span><br />Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, 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.</p><p class="hdg">the counsel</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/22-4.htm">2 Chronicles 22:4,5</a></b></br> Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellers after the death of his father to his destruction… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/1-16.htm">Esther 1:16-21</a></b></br> And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that <i>are</i> in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/2-2.htm">Esther 2:2-4</a></b></br> Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: … </p><p class="hdg">My father made</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/12-10.htm">1 Kings 12:10,11</a></b></br> And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou <i>it</i> lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little <i>finger</i> shall be thicker than my father's loins… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/13-10.htm">Proverbs 13:10</a></b></br> Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised <i>is</i> wisdom.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/16-18.htm">Proverbs 16:18</a></b></br> Pride <i>goeth</i> before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">Add</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-13.htm">Advice</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">Chastise</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">Chastised</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-13.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">Discipline</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">Disciplined</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-6.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-5.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">Harder</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">Heavier</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">Heavy</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-8.htm">Lads</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">Scorpions</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">Scourge</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">Scourged</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-33.htm">Snakes</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-32.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">Whips</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">Yoke</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-10.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/19-2.htm">Add</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-8.htm">Advice</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-11.htm">Chastise</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-11.htm">Chastised</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-28.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-11.htm">Discipline</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-11.htm">Disciplined</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-20.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-17.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-6.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-11.htm">Harder</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-11.htm">Heavier</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-6.htm">Heavy</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-24.htm">Lads</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-10.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-11.htm">Scorpions</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-14.htm">Scourge</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-11.htm">Scourged</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-11.htm">Snakes</a> <a href="/1_kings/13-7.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-11.htm">Whips</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-19.htm">Yoke</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-43.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/12-1.htm">The Israelites, assembled at Shechem to crown Rehoboam, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/12-4.htm">by Jeroboam make a suit of relaxation unto him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/12-6.htm">Rehoboam, refusing the old men's counsel, answers them roughly</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/12-16.htm">Ten tribes revolting, kill Adoram, and make Rehoboam flee</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/12-21.htm">Rehoboam, raising an army, is forbidden by Shemaiah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/12-25.htm">Jeroboam strengthens himself by cities</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/12-26.htm">and by idolatry of the two calves</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>and spoke to them as the young men had advised</b><br>Rehoboam, Solomon's son, rejected the counsel of the elders who advised him to serve the people and instead followed the advice of his peers. This decision highlights the importance of wise counsel and the dangers of pride and arrogance. <a href="/proverbs/11-14.htm">Proverbs 11:14</a> emphasizes the value of guidance, stating, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." The young men’s advice reflects a lack of experience and understanding of leadership, contrasting with the wisdom Solomon was known for.<p><b>saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy</b><br>Solomon's reign, while prosperous, involved heavy taxation and forced labor to support his building projects, including the temple and his palace. The "yoke" refers to the burdens placed on the Israelites, which were significant enough to cause discontent. This phrase connects to the broader biblical theme of burdens and rest, as seen in <a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a>, where Jesus offers rest to those who are weary and burdened.<p><b>I will add to your yoke</b><br>Rehoboam's decision to increase the burden reflects a failure to understand servant leadership, a concept Jesus later exemplifies. This decision led to the division of the kingdom, fulfilling the prophecy given to Jeroboam in <a href="/1_kings/11-31.htm">1 Kings 11:31-35</a>. The increase in burden symbolizes the oppressive rule that contrasts with the freedom and rest offered by Christ.<p><b>Whereas my father scourged you with whips</b><br>The use of "whips" indicates the harsh treatment and forced labor under Solomon's rule. This imagery is reminiscent of the Israelites' bondage in Egypt, where they were also subjected to harsh labor. The reference to whips underscores the severity of the oppression and the people's desire for relief.<p><b>I will scourge you with scorpions</b><br>The term "scorpions" suggests an even harsher form of punishment than whips, indicating Rehoboam's intent to rule with greater severity. This metaphorical language emphasizes the cruelty and insensitivity of Rehoboam's leadership. In a broader biblical context, scorpions are often associated with danger and suffering, as seen in <a href="/luke/10-19.htm">Luke 10:19</a>, where Jesus gives His disciples authority over serpents and scorpions, symbolizing protection from harm. This phrase foreshadows the division and turmoil that would result from Rehoboam's harsh policies.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/rehoboam.htm">Rehoboam</a></b><br>The son of Solomon and the king of Israel at this time. His decision-making in this chapter leads to the division of the kingdom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeroboam.htm">Jeroboam</a></b><br>A former official of Solomon who becomes the leader of the northern tribes after the kingdom splits.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_elders.htm">The Elders</a></b><br>Advisors who served Solomon and advised Rehoboam to lighten the people's burdens.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_young_men.htm">The Young Men</a></b><br>Rehoboam's contemporaries who advised him to increase the burdens on the people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a></b><br>The place where Rehoboam went to be crowned king and where the people of Israel gathered to make their requests.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_wise_counsel.htm">The Importance of Wise Counsel</a></b><br>Rehoboam's failure to heed the advice of the elders serves as a cautionary tale about the value of seeking and following wise, experienced counsel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_pride_and_arrogance.htm">Consequences of Pride and Arrogance</a></b><br>Rehoboam's decision reflects a prideful and arrogant heart, leading to the division of the kingdom. Pride often precedes a fall.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/servant_leadership.htm">Servant Leadership</a></b><br>True leadership is about serving others, not exerting power over them. Rehoboam's harshness contrasts with the servant leadership model exemplified by Jesus.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_peer_pressure.htm">The Impact of Peer Pressure</a></b><br>Rehoboam's choice to follow the advice of his peers rather than the elders shows the dangers of succumbing to peer pressure.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a></b><br>Despite Rehoboam's poor decision, God's sovereign plan was at work, fulfilling the prophecy given to Jeroboam.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_rehoboam's_reply_only_harsh.htm">Why does 1 Kings 12:14 present Rehoboam’s answer as solely harsh, despite other biblical accounts that sometimes provide a balancing perspective? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_the_morning_star_in_the_bible.htm">Who is the morning star in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_adoram's_stoning_in_1_kings_12_18_verified.htm">Is there any external record confirming the swift stoning of Adoram in 1 Kings 12:18, or does this raise doubts about the event’s historicity? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_solomon's_peaceful_reign_end_in_conflict.htm">How do we reconcile the promise of Solomon having a peaceful reign (1 Chronicles 22:9) with the conflicts and eventual division of the kingdom after his rule? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, 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.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_kings/12-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">and spoke</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·ḏab·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to them</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·lê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as the young men</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיְלָדִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(hay·lā·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3206.htm">Strong's 3206: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something born, a lad, offspring</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had advised,</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּעֲצַ֤ת</span> <span class="translit">(ka·‘ă·ṣaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6098.htm">Strong's 6098: </a> </span><span class="str2">Advice, plan, prudence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saying,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵאמֹ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(lê·mōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Although my father</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">made your yoke</span><br /><span class="heb">עֻלְּכֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ul·lə·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5923.htm">Strong's 5923: </a> </span><span class="str2">A yoke</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heavy,</span><br /><span class="heb">הִכְבִּ֣יד</span> <span class="translit">(hiḵ·bîḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3513.htm">Strong's 3513: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲנִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will add</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹסִ֣יף</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·sîp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3254.htm">Strong's 3254: </a> </span><span class="str2">To add, augment</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">עַֽל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your yoke.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֻלְּכֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ul·lə·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5923.htm">Strong's 5923: </a> </span><span class="str2">A yoke</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Although my father</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">scourged</span><br /><span class="heb">יִסַּ֤ר</span> <span class="translit">(yis·sar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3256.htm">Strong's 3256: </a> </span><span class="str2">To discipline, chasten, admonish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶתְכֶם֙</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with whips,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּשּׁוֹטִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(baš·šō·w·ṭîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7752.htm">Strong's 7752: </a> </span><span class="str2">A scourge, whip</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲנִ֕י</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will scourge</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲיַסֵּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·yas·sêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3256.htm">Strong's 3256: </a> </span><span class="str2">To discipline, chasten, admonish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶתְכֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with scorpions!?</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּעַקְרַבִּֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(bā·‘aq·rab·bîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6137.htm">Strong's 6137: </a> </span><span class="str2">A scorpion, a scourge, knotted whip</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/12-14.htm">1 Kings 12:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_kings/12-14.htm">1 Kings 12:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_kings/12-14.htm">1 Kings 12:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_kings/12-14.htm">1 Kings 12:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_kings/12-14.htm">1 Kings 12:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/12-14.htm">1 Kings 12:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/12-14.htm">1 Kings 12:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/12-14.htm">1 Kings 12:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/12-14.htm">1 Kings 12:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_kings/12-14.htm">1 Kings 12:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_kings/12-14.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 12:14 And spoke to them after the counsel (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/12-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 12:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 12:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/12-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 12:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 12:15" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>