For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
My father placed a heavy burden on you, but I will make your burden even heavier. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions.
The writer is recording the harsh and foolish threat made by the new king who promised to treat his people even more severely than his oppressive father had.
📚 Historical Context
After King Solomon's death, the northern tribes of Israel were weary from the heavy taxes and forced labor he had imposed to fund his grand building projects. When Rehoboam, Solomon's son, was about to ascend the throne, the people sent representatives led by Jeroboam to ask for relief from these burdens. Rehoboam, seeking advice from both elders and young men, ultimately chose to follow the young advisors' harsh counsel, threatening even greater oppression as seen in this verse.
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