1 Kings 12:10

Contextual Overview

¹Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king. ¹ Rechav`am went to Shekhem: for all Yisra'el were come to Shekhem to make him king. ¹ And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. ¹ Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. ¹ Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all the Israelites had gone to make him king. ¹ Rehoboam traveled to Shechem, for all Israel had gathered in Shechem to make Rehoboam king. ¹Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. ¹ Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, because all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. ¹ And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for al Israel were come to Sheche, to make him king ¹Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Thus shalt thou: 2 Samuel 17:7-13

My little finger: A proverbial mode of expression: "My little finger is thicker than my father's thigh." As much as the thigh surpasses the little finger in thickness, so much does my power exceed that of my father; and the use I shall make of it to oppress and tax you shall be in proportion. 2 Chronicles 10:10, 2 Chronicles 10:11, Proverbs 10:14, Proverbs 18:6, Proverbs 18:7, Proverbs 28:25, Proverbs 29:23, Isaiah 47:6

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 8:11 - He will take 1 Kings 12:14 - My father made Proverbs 13:10 - Only Proverbs 13:20 - but Proverbs 28:16 - prince Ecclesiastes 4:16 - no end

Cross-References

Genesis 12:1
Now the LORD said to Avram, "Get out of your country, and from your relatives, and from your father's house, to the land that I will show you.

Genesis 12:1
Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Genesis 12:1
And Yahweh said to Abram, "Go out from your land and from your relatives, and from the house of your father, to the land that I will show you.

Genesis 12:1
The Lord said to Abram, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land I will show you.

Genesis 12:1
Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go out from your country, your relatives, and your father's household to the land that I will show you.

Genesis 12:1
Now [in Haran] the LORD had said to Abram, "Go away from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you;

Genesis 12:1
Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you;

Genesis 12:1
For the Lorde had said vnto Abram, Get thee out of thy countrey, and from thy kindred, and from thy fathers house vnto the land that I will shewe thee.

Genesis 12:1
And Yahweh said to Abram,"Go forth from your land,And from your kinAnd from your father's house,To the land which I will show you;

Genesis 12:1
The Lord said to Abram: Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And the young men that were grown up with him, spake unto him, saying,.... Gave him the following advice:

thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying; as is said, 1 Kings 12:4

thus shall thou say unto them, my little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins; or, "is thicker" g signifying that he had more strength and power than his father had, and that he would make them know it, and they should feel the weight of it, and instead of lessening he would increase their taxes; for also hereby was intimated, that his glory, grandeur, and magnificence, was greater than his father's, especially when he first came to the kingdom, and therefore required the same taxes, or greater, to support it; and perhaps reference may be had to the difference of their age, Solomon being a child, or a very young man, when he came to the throne; whereas Rehoboam was upwards of forty years of age, and capable of judging what was fit to be done, and not to be talked to and treated after this manner, nor to receive the kingdom upon a condition of the people's prescribing.

g עבה "grossior est", V. L. Pagninus; "densior est", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

My little finger ... - i. e., “You shall find my hand heavier on you than my father’s - as much heavier as if my little finger were thicker than his loins.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Kings 12:10. And the young men that were grown up with him — It was a custom in different countries to educate with the heir to the throne young noblemen of nearly the same age. This, as Calmet observes, answered two great and important ends: -

1. It excited the prince to emulation; that he might, as far as possible, surpass in all manly exercises, and in all acts of prudence and virtue, those whom one day he was to surpass in the elevation and dignity of his station.

2. That he might acquire a correct knowledge of the disposition and views of those who were likely to be, under him, the highest officers of the state; and consequently, know the better how to trust and employ them. The old counsellors Rehoboam did not know; with the young nobility he had been familiar.

My little finger shall be thicker — A proverbial mode of expression: "My little finger is thicker than my father's thigh." As much as the thigh surpasses the little finger in thickness, so much does my power exceed that of my father; and the use that I shall make of it, to employ and tax you, shall be in proportion.