1 Kings 12:13

13 The king answered the people harshly. He ignored the advice the older leaders gave him.

1 Kings 12:13 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 12:13

And the king answered the people roughly
In a blustering manner, gave them hard words and severe menaces, being worked up to such a spirit by his young counsellors:

and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him:
to give them good words and kind promises.

1 Kings 12:13 In-Context

11 If my father put a heavy burden on you, I will add to it. If my father punished you with whips, I will punish you with scorpions.'"

12 So Jeroboam and all the people came back to Rehoboam two days later, as the king had instructed them.

13 The king answered the people harshly. He ignored the advice the older leaders gave him.

14 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."

15 The king refused to listen to the people because the LORD was directing these events to carry out the promise he had made to Jeroboam (Nebat's son) through Ahijah from Shiloh.