1 Kings 12 14

1 Kings 12:14 kjv

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.

1 Kings 12:14 nkjv

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!"

1 Kings 12:14 niv

he followed the advice of the young men and said, "My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions."

1 Kings 12:14 esv

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."

1 Kings 12:14 nlt

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!"

1 Kings 12 verses

1 Kings 12 14 Meaning

1 Kings 12:14 details King Rehoboam's arrogant response to the people of Israel who sought lighter burdens, indicating his refusal of wise counsel and his adoption of the foolish advice from the young men. He explicitly declares his intent to intensify the oppressive measures instituted by his father, Solomon, asserting that his rule will be even more severe. This statement sets the stage for the division of the united monarchy of Israel.

1 Kings 12 14 Context

1 Kings Chapter 12 opens with Rehoboam, Solomon's son, going to Shechem where all Israel had gathered to make him king. The people, led by Jeroboam, present a unified request for Rehoboam to lighten the heavy yoke and burdens Solomon had placed upon them (likely referring to forced labor and taxation). Rehoboam asks for three days to consider. He consults with two groups: the elders who had served his father, and the young men with whom he had grown up. The elders advise him to speak kindly and serve the people, promising their perpetual loyalty. However, Rehoboam rejects their seasoned wisdom, choosing instead the aggressive and contemptuous counsel of the young men. This counsel, which is explicitly delivered in 1 Kings 12:14, advocates an even more severe rule, famously summarized as increasing the "whips" to "scorpions." This immediate rejection of his subjects' legitimate grievances, coupled with a blatant threat of escalated oppression, directly leads to the rebellion of ten tribes and the irreparable division of the kingdom of Israel into Northern (Israel) and Southern (Judah) kingdoms. Historically, the account illustrates a pivotal moment in Israelite monarchy, a transition from unity to schism, fulfilling divine prophecy against the house of David due to Solomon's idolatry.

1 Kings 12 14 Word analysis

• And he answered them: The Hebrew is vayyaʿan ʾotam (וַיַּעַן אֹתָם), a straightforward declaration of his direct verbal response. It implies no hesitation or reconsideration after receiving the two differing pieces of counsel; rather, it indicates a chosen and decided course of action.

• according to the counsel: The Hebrew kaʿaṣat (כַּעֲצַת), using the prefix ka- meaning "according to" or "like." This signifies his full adoption and alignment with the proposed strategy, rather than a modified or partial acceptance. It highlights Rehoboam's decision to embrace the entire tenor of the young men's advice.

• of the young men: The Hebrew term is haylādiym (הַיְלָדִים). While often translated as "young men," yeled fundamentally means "child" or "youth." In this context, it emphasizes immaturity, inexperience, and potentially a lack of true wisdom and empathy for governance, contrasting sharply with the "elders" (zeqenim). Their counsel lacked the seasoned judgment of life and governance.

• saying: The Hebrew le'mor (לֵאמֹר), a common infinitive construct used to introduce direct speech.

• "My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.": This is the core of Rehoboam's disastrous pronouncement.

  • "My father disciplined you with whips": The verb "disciplined" is yassar (יָסַּר), meaning to chastise, correct, or instruct, but in this context clearly meaning to control with severity. "Whips" (shōṭim) were instruments of punishment or forced labor. This phrase acknowledges Solomon's heavy-handed rule (2 Kgs 4:6, 5:13), but Rehoboam portrays it in a way that suggests it was still manageable, and perhaps he sees it as too lenient.
  • "but I will discipline you with scorpions": This is an immediate and deliberate escalation. "Scorpions" (ʿaqrabim) refers literally to the venomous arthropod, but in this idiomatic context, it denotes a type of severe, potentially barbed whip (cf. 1 Kgs 10:11 referring to metal or heavy objects in Solomon's reign). Symbolically, it means inflicting much greater pain and hardship. This phrase encapsulates Rehoboam's pride, folly, and intention to rule as a tyrannical overlord, rather than a shepherd king.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "according to the counsel of the young men": This phrase directly contrasts with 1 Kgs 12:8-9 where Rehoboam rejected the "counsel of the elders." The choice he made between wisdom and folly, experience and inexperience, becomes the direct cause of his failure and the kingdom's division. This choice demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of leadership, prioritizing raw power and fear over service and benevolent authority.
  • "whips" vs. "scorpions": This vivid metaphorical imagery creates a stark comparison of Solomon's known heavy hand (whips) with Rehoboam's proposed new, dramatically increased oppression (scorpions). It's not just an increase, but a qualitatively different and more painful form of forced labor or punishment, designed to terrorize. It signals a move from burden to overt brutality.

1 Kings 12 14 Bonus section

The Hebrew root for "whips," shaṭat, also means to flow or to run over, subtly hinting at an overflowing, burdensome pressure, even before Rehoboam's escalation. The term "scorpions" likely referred to flagra with iron tips or pieces of bone, inflicting more severe lacerations. Rehoboam's speech is a masterclass in how not to lead; his tone is mocking, contemptuous, and designed to provoke fear, fundamentally misunderstanding that stable governance requires consent and perceived justice, not merely brute force. His immediate dismissal of the people's plea for relief, coupled with a threat, shattered any hope of reconciliation, making their subsequent revolt predictable. The event illustrates the severe consequences of a leader's egocentric focus and failure to serve the governed. This contrasts sharply with God's design for Israel's king, who was meant to rule with justice and righteousness (Deut 17:14-20; Ps 72), reflecting His own righteous rule.

1 Kings 12 14 Commentary

1 Kings 12:14 serves as the critical turning point in the united kingdom's history, epitomizing Rehoboam's pride and tragic misjudgment. His adoption of the counsel of the "young men" reflects not just an age gap, but a fundamental divide in wisdom and perspective on governance. The elders understood that true kingship involves serving the people's legitimate needs to gain loyalty, while the young men, brimming with untested bravado, advised crushing any dissent through increased force. Rehoboam's declaration of using "scorpions" instead of "whips" is a declaration of overt tyranny. This moment is not merely Rehoboam's bad decision; the text itself states in 1 Kgs 12:15 that "the turn of events was from the LORD," highlighting God's sovereignty in fulfilling His prophecy against Solomon's house due to his sin (1 Kgs 11:11-13, 29-39). Rehoboam's arrogant folly, therefore, becomes the instrument through which divine judgment is executed. It showcases how a leader's character—pride, refusal of wisdom, and oppressive tendencies—can have devastating national consequences. This act reveals Rehoboam's immaturity and unsuitability to lead a united nation, setting a precedent for future oppressive kings in both Israel and Judah.Examples: A modern-day leader refusing to listen to experienced advisors regarding public welfare, instead adopting the advice of untested peers focused on maintaining strict, punitive control. Or a CEO ignoring experienced mentors and opting for aggressive, short-term solutions based on the hubris of youthful ambition.