1 Kings 12:10

10 The young turks he'd grown up with said, "These people who complain, 'Your father was too hard on us; lighten up' - well, tell them this: 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist.

1 Kings 12:10 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 12:10

And 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, ( 1 Kings 12:4 )

thus shall thou say unto them, my little finger shall be thicker than
my father's loins;
or, "is thicker" ^F7 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

F7 (hbe) "grossior est", V. L. Pagninus; "densior est", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

1 Kings 12:10 In-Context

8 But he rejected the counsel of the elders and asked the young men he'd grown up with who were now currying his favor,

9 "What do you think? What should I say to these people who are saying, 'Give us a break from your father's harsh ways - lighten up on us'?"

10 The young turks he'd grown up with said, "These people who complain, 'Your father was too hard on us; lighten up' - well, tell them this: 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist.

11 If you think life under my father was hard, you haven't seen the half of it. My father thrashed you with whips; I'll beat you bloody with chains!'"

12 Three days later Jeroboam and the people showed up, just as Rehoboam had directed when he said, "Give me three days to think it over, then come back."