1 Kings 12:7 They replied, "If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever."

◄ 1 Kings 12:7 ►

New International Version
They replied, “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.”

New Living Translation
The older counselors replied, “If you are willing to be a servant to these people today and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects.”

English Standard Version
And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.”

Berean Standard Bible
They replied, “If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.”

King James Bible
And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.

New King James Version
And they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”

New American Standard Bible
Then they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them and grant them their request, and speak pleasant words to them, then they will be your servants always.”

NASB 1995
Then they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them and grant them their petition, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”

NASB 1977
Then they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to this people today, will serve them, grant them their petition, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them and grant them their petition, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”

Amplified Bible
They spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them and grant their request, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”

Christian Standard Bible
They replied, “Today if you will be a servant to this people and serve them, and if you respond to them by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They replied, “Today if you will be a servant to these people and serve them, and if you respond to them by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.”

American Standard Version
And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.

Contemporary English Version
They answered, "If you want them to serve and obey you, then you should do what they ask today. Tell them you will make their work easier."

English Revised Version
And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They told him, "If you will serve these people today, humble yourself, and speak gently, then they will always be your servants."

Good News Translation
They replied, "If you want to serve this people well, give a favorable answer to their request, and they will always serve you loyally."

International Standard Version
They advised him, "If today you are a servant, you will serve this people by answering them and speaking kindly to them. Then they will serve you forever."

Majority Standard Bible
They replied, “If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.”

NET Bible
They said to him, "Today if you show a willingness to help these people and grant their request, they will be your servants from this time forward."

New Heart English Bible
They spoke to him, saying, "If you will be a servant to this people this day, and will serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever."

Webster's Bible Translation
And they spoke to him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant to this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.

World English Bible
They replied, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them, and answer them with good words, then they will be your servants forever.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And they speak to him, saying, “If, today, you are a servant of this people, and have served them, and answered them, and spoken good words to them, then they have been servants to you [for] all the days.”

Young's Literal Translation
And they speak unto him, saying, 'If, to-day, thou art servant to this people, and hast served them, and answered them, and spoken unto them good words, then they have been to thee servants all the days.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will speak to him, saying, If this day thou wilt be a servant to this people and serve them, and answer them, and speak to them good words, and they were servants to thee all the days.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
They said to him: If thou wilt yield to this people to day, and condescend to them, and grant their petition, and wilt speak gentle words to them, they will be thy servants always.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They said to him, “If today you will obey and serve this people, and yield to their petition, and if you will speak lenient words to them, they will be your servants for all days.”

New American Bible
They replied, “If today you become the servant of this people and serve them, and give them a favorable answer, they will be your servants forever.”

New Revised Standard Version
They answered him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And they said to him, If you will be a servant to this people this day and will serve them and answer them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants for ever.And the king said to the prophet of God, Come home with me to eat and I will give you presents.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they said to him: “If today you will be a Servant to this people and you will serve them and answer them and will speak good words to them, they will be Servants to you all the days.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And they spoke unto him, saying: 'If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they spoke to him, saying, If thou wilt this day be a servant to this people, and wilt serve them, and wilt speak to them good words, then will they be thy servants continually.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Rebellion Against Rehoboam
…6Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked. 7They replied, “If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.” 8But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

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

Proverbs 25:15
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

Matthew 20:26-28
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— / just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:43-45
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. / For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Philippians 2:3-7
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. / Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. / Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: ...

2 Chronicles 10:7
They replied, “If you will be kind to these people and please them by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.”

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

Proverbs 11:14
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.

Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.

Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

Proverbs 22:29
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

Ecclesiastes 10:16-17
Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning. / Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness.

Isaiah 1:19
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land.

Jeremiah 22:3-4
This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place. / For if you will indeed carry out these commands, then kings who sit on David’s throne will enter through the gates of this palace riding on chariots and horses—they and their officials and their people.

Matthew 23:11-12
The greatest among you shall be your servant. / For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Treasury of Scripture

And they spoke to him, saying, If you will be a servant to this people this day, and will serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants for ever.

If thou wilt

2 Chronicles 10:6,7
And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people? …

Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Mark 10:43,44
But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: …

speak good

1 Kings 12:13
And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him;

2 Samuel 15:3-6
And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee…

Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

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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

Berean Study Bible

They replied
This phrase indicates the response of the elders who had served Solomon. The Hebrew root for "replied" is "עָנָה" (anah), which means to answer or respond. This suggests a thoughtful and considered response, emphasizing the wisdom and experience of these elders. Historically, the elders were seasoned advisors, and their counsel was rooted in years of observing the successes and failures of leadership. Their reply is not just a suggestion but a distillation of wisdom that had been proven over time.

If you will be a servant
The concept of being a "servant" is central to this verse. The Hebrew word used here is "עֶבֶד" (eved), which can mean servant, slave, or bondman. In a biblical context, this term often denotes humility and a willingness to put others' needs before one's own. Jesus Christ later exemplifies this servant leadership in the New Testament, highlighting its enduring importance. The elders are advising Rehoboam to adopt a leadership style that is counter-cultural, emphasizing humility and service over power and dominance.

to these people today
The phrase "to these people today" underscores the immediacy and relevance of the elders' advice. "These people" refers to the Israelites who had come to Rehoboam seeking relief from heavy burdens. The use of "today" (הַיּוֹם, hayom) stresses the urgency of the situation. It is a call to action, urging Rehoboam to seize the moment to establish a positive relationship with his subjects. Historically, this moment was pivotal, as the kingdom was on the brink of division.

and serve them
The repetition of the concept of service ("serve them") reinforces its importance. The Hebrew root "שָׁרַת" (sharat) means to minister or attend to. This is not merely about performing duties but about cultivating a heart of service. In the biblical narrative, true leadership is marked by a commitment to the well-being of others, reflecting God's own care for His people.

and if you will respond to them
The phrase "if you will respond to them" highlights the conditional nature of the elders' advice. The Hebrew root "עָנָה" (anah) is used again, emphasizing the importance of communication and responsiveness. This suggests that leadership involves active listening and engagement with the concerns of the people. It is a reminder that leaders must be attuned to the needs and voices of those they lead.

by speaking kind words to them
"Speaking kind words" is a powerful directive. The Hebrew word for "kind" is "טוֹב" (tov), which means good, pleasant, or agreeable. This implies that the manner of communication is as important as the content. Kind words can build trust and foster loyalty, while harsh words can lead to division and rebellion. The elders are advising Rehoboam to use his words to heal and unite, rather than to wound and divide.

then they will be your servants forever
The promise "then they will be your servants forever" is a profound assurance. The Hebrew word for "forever" is "עוֹלָם" (olam), which denotes perpetuity or eternity. This suggests that the benefits of servant leadership are long-lasting. By serving the people and speaking kindly, Rehoboam could secure their loyalty and service indefinitely. This reflects a biblical principle that true leadership, rooted in humility and service, results in enduring relationships and stability.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) If thou wilt be a servant.--Both the policies suggested show how corrupt and cynical the government of Israel had become. For the advice of the old counsellors has no largeness of policy or depth of wisdom. It is simply the characteristic advice of experienced and crafty politicians--who had seen the gradual development of despotic power, and had still remembrance of the comparative freedom of earlier days--understanding at once the dangerous vehemence of popular excitement, and the facility with which it may be satisfied by temporary concessions, and perhaps desiring to defeat that private ambition, which was making use for its own purposes of the natural sense of grievance. It is to give "good words," and to be for the moment "a servant to the people," with, perhaps, the intention of abolishing certain excessive grievances, but by no means of yielding up substantial power. Whether it was in itself more than superficially prudent, would depend on the seriousness of the grievances, and the social and political condition of the people.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. - And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them [Keil questions the propriety and expediency of this advice. He says, "The king could not become the עֶבֶד of the people without prejudicing the authority entrusted to him by God." But they do not propose that he should become their servant, except for one clay, and then only in the sense of making reasonable concessions. What they mean is this: "If thou wilt brook for once to accede to their terms instead of dictating thine own," etc. The form of their answer was probably suggested by the temper of the king. They saw what was passing in his mind, viz., that he would fain play the autocrat, and that he resented it exceedingly that his subjects, just as he had begun to taste the sweets of royalty, should presume to parley with him; and they say in effect, "You think that they are reversing your relations, that they are making you, their sovereign, their servant. Be it so. It is but for one day. Then they will be your slaves forever"], and answer them [i.e., favourably; grant their request; cf. Psalm 22:22; Psalm 65:6], and speak good words to them, then will they be thy servants forever. ["Thy servants," in opposition to "a servant" above; "forever" in opposition to "this day."]

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

They replied,
וַיְדַבְּר֨וּ‪‬ (way·ḏab·bə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

“If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you will be
תִּֽהְיֶה־ (tih·yeh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a servant
עֶ֜בֶד (‘e·ḇeḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

to these
הַזֶּה֙ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

people
לָעָ֤ם (lā·‘ām)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and serve them
וַֽעֲבַדְתָּ֔ם (wa·‘ă·ḇaḏ·tām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

this day,
הַ֠יּוֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

and if you will respond
וַעֲנִיתָ֕ם (wa·‘ă·nî·ṯām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

by speaking
וְדִבַּרְתָּ֥ (wə·ḏib·bar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

kind
טוֹבִ֑ים (ṭō·w·ḇîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

words
דְּבָרִ֣ים (də·ḇā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

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

they will be
וְהָי֥וּ (wə·hā·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

your servants
עֲבָדִ֖ים (‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

forever.”
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

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OT History: 1 Kings 12:7 They spoke to him saying If you (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)