1 Kings 12:14

14 But giving them the answer put forward by the young men, saying, My father made your yoke hard, but I will make it harder; my father gave you punishment with whips, but I will give it with snakes.

1 Kings 12:14 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 12:14

And spake to them after the counsel of the young men
And in the very language in which they gave it:

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, (See Gill on 1 Kings 12:11).

1 Kings 12:14 In-Context

12 So all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king had given orders, saying, Come back to me the third day.

13 And the king gave them a rough answer, giving no attention to the suggestion of the old men;

14 But giving them the answer put forward by the young men, saying, My father made your yoke hard, but I will make it harder; my father gave you punishment with whips, but I will give it with snakes.

15 So the king did not give ear to the people; and this came about by the purpose of the Lord, so that what he had said by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam, son of Nebat, might be effected.

16 And when all Israel saw that the king would give no attention to them, the people in answer said to the king, What part have we in David? what is our heritage in the son of Jesse? to your tents, O Israel; now see to your people, David. So Israel went away to their tents.