John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. And he said unto them, what counsel give ye, that we may answer this people, saying , etc.] (see Gill on “ 1 Kings 12:4”).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-15 - The tribes complained not to Rehoboam of his father's idolatry, an revolt from God. That which was the greatest grievance, was none to them; so careless were they in matters of religion, if they might liv at case, and pay no taxes. Factious spirits will never want somethin to complain of. And when we see the Scripture account of Solomon' reign; the peace, wealth, and prosperity Israel then enjoyed; we cannot doubt but that their charges were false, or far beyond the truth Rehoboam answered the people according to the counsel of the young men Never was man more blinded by pride, and desire of arbitrary power than which nothing is more fatal. God's counsels were hereby fulfilled He left Rehoboam to his own folly, and hid from his eyes the thing which belonged to his peace, that the kingdom might be rent from him God serves his own wise and righteous purposes by the imprudences an sins of men. Those that lose the kingdom of heaven, throw it away, a Rehoboam, by wilfulness and folly.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 אליהם413 מה4100 אתם859 נועצים3289 ונשׁיב7725 דבר1697 את853 העם5971 הזה2088 אשׁר834 דברו1696 אלי413 לאמר559 הקל7043 מן4480 העל5923 אשׁר834 נתן5414 אביך1 עלינו׃5921
