And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
And he answered them following the advice of the young men, saying, 'My father made your burden heavy, but I will make it even heavier. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions.'
The writer is showing how King Rehoboam foolishly chose to be even harsher than his father Solomon, threatening the people with worse treatment instead of showing mercy.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of 2 Chronicles, King Rehoboam, son of Solomon, faced a delegation from the northern tribes of Israel who requested relief from the heavy burdens and taxes imposed during Solomon's reign. Rehoboam consulted both the elder advisors, who suggested a more lenient approach, and the young men, who urged him to be even harsher; he foolishly chose the latter's advice. This decision sparked a rebellion led by Jeroboam, resulting in the division of the united kingdom into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah around 931 BC.
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