1 Kings 12:4

4 Thy father putted the most hard yoke upon us, therefore abate thou a little now of the hardest commandment of thy father, and of the full grievous yoke that he hath put upon us, and we shall serve to thee. (Thy father put the hardest yoke upon us, but now, if thou abate a little thy father's hardest commands, and the most grievous yoke that he hath put upon us, then we shall serve thee.)

1 Kings 12:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 12:4

Thy father made our yoke grievous
Laid heavy taxes upon them, for the finishing of his buildings, for the maintenance of his household, for keeping such a large number of horses and chariots, and for the salaries of his officers, and for the support of his magnificent court; though they had very little reason to complain, since this was for the honour and grandeur of their nation, and they enjoyed their liberty, and lived in peace, plenty, and safety all his days; and such an abundance of riches was brought unto them by him that silver was as the stones of the street; though perhaps the taxes might be increased in the latter part of his life, for the support of his vast number of wives, and of their idolatrous worship, and for the defence of himself and kingdom against the attempts of Hadad and Rezon; but, as most interpreters observe, what they find most reason to complain of, they take no notice of, even the idolatry he had set up among them:

now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his
heavy yoke which he put upon us lighter;
that is, ease them of their taxes, or lessen them:

and we will serve thee;
acknowledge him as their king, give him homage, and yield obedience to him.

1 Kings 12:4 In-Context

2 And soothly Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, when he was yet in Egypt, and fled from the face of king Solomon, turned again from Egypt, for the death of Solomon was heard; (And Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, when he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon, heard of Solomon's death, and returned from Egypt;)

3 and they sent, and called him. Therefore Jeroboam came, and all the multitude of Israel, and they spake to Rehoboam, and said,

4 Thy father putted the most hard yoke upon us, therefore abate thou a little now of the hardest commandment of thy father, and of the full grievous yoke that he hath put upon us, and we shall serve to thee. (Thy father put the hardest yoke upon us, but now, if thou abate a little thy father's hardest commands, and the most grievous yoke that he hath put upon us, then we shall serve thee.)

5 And Rehoboam said to them, Go ye till to the third day, and turn ye again to me (Go ye away until the third day, and then return ye here). And when the people had gone,

6 king Rehoboam took counsel with the elder men, that stood before Solomon, his father, while he lived yet (while yet he lived); and Rehoboam said, What counsel give ye to me, that I answer to the people?