_that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt_] So we should read also in 1 Kings xii. 2 for “and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt.” The difference in Hebrew between the two readings when written without the vowels is confined to one letter, מ instead of ב. ⁴Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. ⁵And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed. =4.= _the grievous service of thy father_] The “service” complained of is described (in part) in 1 Kings v. 13, 14 (no parallel in Chronicles). Compare viii. 9 (= 1 Kings ix. 22), note. _and we will serve thee_] The people claim their ancient right to a voice in the appointment of a king; compare 1 Samuel xi. 14, 15 (Saul) and 2 Samuel v. 1‒3 (David). ⁶And 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? =6.= _stood before_] Compare Deuteronomy i. 38; 1 Kings xvii. 1. The phrase is used to express service, whether rendered to God or to man. ⁷And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants forever. ⁸But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men that were grown up with him, that stood before him. ⁹And he said unto them, What counsel give ye, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that thy father did put upon us lighter? ¹⁰And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou say unto the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins. =7.= _If thou be kind to this people, and please them_] The Chronicler has softened the forcible words of the parallel passage (1 Kings xii. 7), “If thou wilt be a _servant_ unto this people this day, and wilt _serve_ them.” The words which were too blunt for Rehoboam were also too blunt for the Chronicler. ¹¹And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I _will chastise you_ with scorpions. ¹²So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come to me again the third day. =11.= _with whips_] A whip or flail was among the insignia of an Egyptian (and perhaps also of an Israelite) king. Compare Erman, _Ancient Egypt_, English Translation p. 60 (where an illustration is given) and p. 63.