1 Kings 12:4

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

our yoke: 1 Kings 4:7, 1 Kings 4:20, 1 Kings 4:22, 1 Kings 4:23, 1 Kings 4:25, 1 Kings 9:15, 1 Kings 9:22, 1 Kings 9:23, 1 Samuel 8:11-18, 2 Chronicles 10:4, 2 Chronicles 10:5, Matthew 11:29, Matthew 11:30, Matthew 23:4, 1 John 5:3

Cross-References

Genesis 11:27
Now this is the history of the generations of Terach. Terach became the father of Avram, Nachor, and Haran. Haran became the father of Lot.

Genesis 11:27
Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.

Genesis 11:27
Now these are the generations of Terah. Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran, and Haran fathered Lot.

Genesis 11:27
This is the family history of Terah. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran was the father of Lot.

Genesis 11:27
This is the account of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot.

Genesis 11:27
Now these are the records of the descendants of Terah. Terah was the father of Abram (Abraham), Nahor, and Haran; and Haran was the father of Lot.

Genesis 11:27
Now these are the records of the generations of Terah. Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran fathered Lot.

Genesis 11:27
Nowe these are the generations of Terah: Terah begate Abram, Nahor, and Haran: and Haran begate Lot.

Genesis 11:27
Now these are the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran became the father of Lot.

Genesis 11:27
Here is the genealogy of Terach. Terach fathered Avram, Nachor and Haran; and Haran fathered Lot.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Thy father made our yoke grievous,.... Laid heavy taxes upon them, for the finishing of his buildings, for the maintenance of his household, for keeping such a large number of horses and chariots, and for the salaries of his officers, and for the support of his magnificent court; though they had very little reason to complain, since this was for the honour and grandeur of their nation, and they enjoyed their liberty, and lived in peace, plenty, and safety all his days; and such an abundance of riches was brought unto them by him that silver was as the stones of the street; though perhaps the taxes might be increased in the latter part of his life, for the support of his vast number of wives, and of their idolatrous worship, and for the defence of himself and kingdom against the attempts of Hadad and Rezon; but, as most interpreters observe, what they find most reason to complain of, they take no notice of, even the idolatry he had set up among them:

now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us lighter; that is, ease them of their taxes, or lessen them:

and we will serve thee; acknowledge him as their king, give him homage, and yield obedience to him.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The complaint was probably twofold. The Israelites no doubt complained in part of the heavy weight of taxation laid upon them for the maintenance of the monarch and his court 1 Kings 4:19-23. But their chief grievance was the forced labor to which they had been subjected 1 Kings 5:13-14; 1 Kings 11:28. Forced labor has been among the causes leading to insurrection in many ages and countries. It helped to bring about the French Revolution, and it was for many years one of the principal grievances of the Russian serfs. Jeroboam’s position as superintendent of the forced labors of the tribe of Ephraim 1 Kings 11:28 revealed to him the large amount of dissatisfaction which Solomon’s system had produced, and his contemplated rebellion in Solomon’s reign may have been connected with this standing grievance.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Kings 12:4. The grievous service - and - heavy yoke — They seem here to complain of two things - excessively laborious service, and a heavy taxation. At first it is supposed Solomon employed no Israelite in drudgery: afterwards, when he forsook the God of compassion, he seems to have used them as slaves, and to have revived the Egyptian bondage.