EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)
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Spake unto him.—Heb.,
with him; probably a mistaken repetition. Kings, “unto him,” and so LXX.; but Syriac, “with him.”
Answer.—Say to.
The people.—This people (Kings).
But make thou it somewhat lighter for us.—Literally,And thou lighten from upon us. LXX., well:καὶ σὺ ἄφες ἀφ᾿ ἡμῶν.
Thus shalt thou say.—Kings, “speak.”
My little finger.—The word “finger” should not be italicised. The wordqōten means “little finger.”
10:1-19 The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam. - Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his own work by all, and fulfilling the word which he has spoken. No man can bequeath his prosperity to his heirs any more than his wisdom; though our children will generally be affected by our conduct, whether good or bad. Let us then seek those good things which will be our own for ever; and crave the blessing of God upon our posterity, in preference to wealth or worldly exaltation.
The narrative of Kings (marginal reference) is repeated with only slight verbal differences.
7. If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them—In the Book of Kings [1Ki 12:7], the words are, "If thou wilt be a servant unto this people, and wilt serve them." The meaning in both is the same, namely, If thou wilt make some reasonable concessions, redress their grievances, and restore their abridged liberties, thou wilt secure their strong and lasting attachment to thy person and government.
No text from Poole on this verse.
See Chapter Introduction
And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thouit somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My{d} littlefinger shall be thicker than my father's loins.(d) Or, little finger, meaning that he was of far greater power than his father was.
