1 Kings 12:14
New International Version
he followed the advice of the young men and said, “My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.”

New Living Translation
and followed the counsel of his younger advisers. He told the people, “My father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!”

English Standard Version
he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”

Berean Standard Bible
and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.”

King James Bible
And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, 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.

New King James Version
and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!”

New American Standard Bible
and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions!”

NASB 1995
and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”

NASB 1977
and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”

Legacy Standard Bible
and he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”

Amplified Bible
and spoke to them in accordance with the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but as for me, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”

Christian Standard Bible
and spoke to them according to the young men’s advice: “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with barbed whips.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and spoke to them according to the young men’s advice: “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with barbed whips.”

American Standard Version
and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

Contemporary English Version
He spoke bluntly and told them exactly what his own advisors had suggested: "My father made you work hard, but I'll make you work even harder. He punished you with whips, but I'll use whips with pieces of sharp metal!"

English Revised Version
and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
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."

Good News Translation
as the younger men had advised. He said, "My father placed heavy burdens on you; I will make them even heavier. He beat you with whips; I'll flog you with bullwhips!"

International Standard Version
Instead, Rehoboam spoke to them along the lines of what the younger men suggested. He told them "My father burdened you heavily, but I will add to that burden. If my father disciplined you with whips, I'm going to discipline you with scorpions!"

Majority Standard Bible
and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.”

NET Bible
and followed the advice of the younger ones. He said, "My father imposed heavy demands on you; I will make them even heavier. My father punished you with ordinary whips; I will punish you with whips that really sting your flesh."

New Heart English Bible
and spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions."

Webster's Bible Translation
And spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, 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.

World English Bible
and spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and speaks to them, according to the counsel of the boys, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, and I add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, and I discipline you with scorpions”;

Young's Literal Translation
and speaketh unto them, according to the counsel of the lads, saying, 'My father made your yoke heavy, and I add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, and I -- I chastise you with scorpions;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will speak to them according to the counsel of the children, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add upon your yoke: my father chastised you with whips and I will chastise you with scorpions.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying: My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke: my father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying: “My father weighed down your yoke, but I will add more to your yoke. My father cut you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions.”

New American Bible
He spoke to them as the young men had advised: “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will make it heavier. My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions.”

New Revised Standard Version
and spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with knouts.And went after the prophet of God, and found him sitting under an oak; and he said to him, Are you the prophet of God who came from Judah? And he said, I am.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men: “My father hardened your yoke; I shall add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips and I shall chastise you with pointy tipped scourges.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying: 'My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rebellion Against Rehoboam
13And the king answered the people harshly. He rejected the advice of the elders 14and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.” 15So the king did not listen to the people, and indeed this turn of events was from the LORD, to fulfill the word He had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 10:14
and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.”

1 Kings 12:10-11
The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you must make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! / Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.’”

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 29:12
If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.

2 Chronicles 13:7
Then worthless and wicked men gathered around him to resist Rehoboam son of Solomon when he was young, inexperienced, and unable to resist them.

Exodus 1:14
and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh.

1 Samuel 8:11-18
He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to serve his own chariots and horses, and to run in front of his chariots. / He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. / And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. ...

Isaiah 9:4
For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.

Isaiah 14:3
On the day that the LORD gives you rest from your pain and torment, and from the hard labor into which you were forced,

Jeremiah 27:11-12
But the nation that will put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will leave in its own land, to cultivate it and reside in it, declares the LORD.” / And to Zedekiah king of Judah I spoke the same message: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and live!

Matthew 20:25-28
But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— ...

Matthew 23:4
They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

Mark 10:42-45
So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. ...

Luke 22:25-27
So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors. / But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. / For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.

Acts 15:10
Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?


Treasury of Scripture

And spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, 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.

the counsel

2 Chronicles 22:4,5
Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellers after the death of his father to his destruction…

Esther 1:16-21
And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus…

Esther 2:2-4
Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: …

My father made

1 Kings 12:10,11
And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins…

Proverbs 13:10
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Jump to Previous
Add Advice Chastise Chastised Counsel Discipline Disciplined Followed Forward Hard Harder Heavier Heavy Lads Punishment Scorpions Scourge Scourged Snakes Speaketh Whips Yoke Young
Jump to Next
Add Advice Chastise Chastised Counsel Discipline Disciplined Followed Forward Hard Harder Heavier Heavy Lads Punishment Scorpions Scourge Scourged Snakes Speaketh Whips Yoke Young
1 Kings 12
1. The Israelites, assembled at Shechem to crown Rehoboam,
4. by Jeroboam make a suit of relaxation unto him
6. Rehoboam, refusing the old men's counsel, answers them roughly
16. Ten tribes revolting, kill Adoram, and make Rehoboam flee
21. Rehoboam, raising an army, is forbidden by Shemaiah
25. Jeroboam strengthens himself by cities
26. and by idolatry of the two calves














and spoke to them
This phrase indicates the act of communication and leadership. In the Hebrew context, the word for "spoke" (דִּבֶּר, dibber) often implies not just casual conversation but authoritative declaration. Rehoboam, as king, is exercising his authority, but the wisdom of his words is in question. This highlights the importance of seeking godly counsel and the consequences of ignoring it.

as the young men had advised
The "young men" (יְלָדִים, yeladim) refers to Rehoboam's contemporaries, who lacked the experience and wisdom of the older advisors. This phrase underscores the biblical principle found in Proverbs 11:14, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." The choice of counsel reflects one's values and priorities.

saying, 'My father made your yoke heavy
The "yoke" (עֹל, ol) symbolizes burden and oppression. Historically, Solomon's reign, though prosperous, involved heavy taxation and forced labor. Rehoboam's acknowledgment of this "heavy" yoke reveals an awareness of the people's grievances, yet his response lacks empathy and wisdom.

but I will add to your yoke
The decision to "add" (אָסִיף, asif) to the yoke signifies an increase in burden. This reflects a failure to understand servant leadership, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 20:26-28, where greatness is equated with serving others. Rehoboam's choice leads to division and strife, illustrating the destructive nature of pride and harshness.

my father disciplined you with whips
The "whips" (שׁוֹטִים, shotim) are a metaphor for harsh treatment and punishment. Solomon's use of forced labor is likened to being driven by whips, a practice that was common in ancient Near Eastern cultures for maintaining control over laborers. This historical context highlights the severity of the people's past experiences.

but I will discipline you with scorpions
The "scorpions" (עַקְרַבִּים, akrabim) are a more severe form of punishment than whips, possibly referring to a type of whip with sharp points or a metaphor for extreme harshness. This choice of words indicates a lack of compassion and understanding, contrasting with the biblical call to lead with justice and mercy, as seen in Micah 6:8.

Verse 14. - And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and spoke
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר (way·ḏab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to them
אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

as the young men
הַיְלָדִים֙ (hay·lā·ḏîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3206: Something born, a lad, offspring

had advised,
כַּעֲצַ֤ת (ka·‘ă·ṣaṯ)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence

saying,
לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Although my father
אָבִי֙ (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

made your yoke
עֻלְּכֶ֔ם (‘ul·lə·ḵem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5923: A yoke

heavy,
הִכְבִּ֣יד (hiḵ·bîḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3513: To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome

I
וַאֲנִ֖י (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

will add
אֹסִ֣יף (’ō·sîp̄)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3254: To add, augment

to
עַֽל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

your yoke.
עֻלְּכֶ֑ם (‘ul·lə·ḵem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5923: A yoke

Although my father
אָבִ֗י (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

scourged
יִסַּ֤ר (yis·sar)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3256: To discipline, chasten, admonish

you
אֶתְכֶם֙ (’eṯ·ḵem)
Direct object marker | second person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

with whips,
בַּשּׁוֹטִ֔ים (baš·šō·w·ṭîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7752: A scourge, whip

I
וַאֲנִ֕י (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

will scourge
אֲיַסֵּ֥ר (’ă·yas·sêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3256: To discipline, chasten, admonish

you
אֶתְכֶ֖ם (’eṯ·ḵem)
Direct object marker | second person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

with scorpions!”
בָּעַקְרַבִּֽים׃ (bā·‘aq·rab·bîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6137: A scorpion, a scourge, knotted whip


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OT History: 1 Kings 12:14 And spoke to them after the counsel (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 12:13
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