Ver. 1. And Rehoboam went to Shechem.] It was an oversight in Solomon, that he had not before his death made his son king—as David had done him, for preventing of troubles; as also in Rehoboam, that he being the undoubted heir of the kingdom—settled by God upon Solomon and his heirs (2 Samuel 7:12,13) -expected the consent of the people, whom he knew to be seditiously inclined, and yielded to meet them at Shechem, a city of Ephraim, that turbulent tribe, where Jeroboam was so powerful. But God, who infatuateth those he meaneth to punish, had a holy hand in all.
Ver. 2. For he was fled,] viz., For safeguard of his life, as man is ζωον φιλοζωον, a life loving creature. See on 1 Kings 11:40.
Ver. 3. That they sent and called him.] This was the act of the multitude, that shallow brained, but great and many headed beast. Jeroboam they picked as one that had been a prime officer amongst them; one that had suffered banishment for speaking freely for them, that was a mighty man of valour, (1 Kings 11:28) and that had God’s promise of the kingdom by the prophet Ahijah, who was also of the same tribe. And Rehoboam and all the congregation.] An importable subsidy in Henry VIII’s time, procured by Cardinal Wolsey, was, by the Commons, denied to be paid. Suffolk rose up in arms making Poverty their captain, as here the aggrieved Israelites did Jeroboam, one that was born of himself, and of whom it might be said, as it was once of Caligula, Non meliorem unquam servum fuisse, nec deteriorem dominum, that there was not a better servant than he, nor a worse lord. Speed.
Ver. 4. Thy father made our yoke grievous.] We are sensible how our necks were pinched and galled by means of thy father’s works and wars; the hard services and great taxes put upon us for the maintenance of his royalty, and great retinue of strange women especially; which charge they could not bear, but their idolatry they could well enough brook. Worldly men are only sensible of worldly damages: Mundi divitias magis amant quam Christi delicias. Make thou his heavy yoke lighter.] Alleva iugum. These malcontented Μεμψιμοιροι had had a fine time, a golden age under Solomon’s government, but never found the worth, till they felt the want of it. Bona a tergo sunt formosissima, blessings are most beautiful behind.
Ver. 5. Depart yet for three days.] This was foolishly done, saith Pellican and Martyr, to give them three days’ respite; because in this time they might consult about a defection, whatsoever answer he should make. If he had pacified their wrath by a soft answer at present, as his father counselleth, (Proverbs 15:1) he had hit it. “ Regnorum sub rege novo mitissima sors est. ’’— Lucan.
Ver. 6. And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men.] This was right; for “with the ancient is wisdom, and in length of days is understanding,” (Job 12:12) Cautius dimicant veterani milites. “ Vulneribus didicit miles habere rectum. ” Those who have bought their wit, will walk more warily, and advise more solidly.
Ver. 7. If thou wilt be a servant to this people this day.] Lenity and moderation in a prince is very prevalent with the people, as to win their affections at first, so to hold them in obedience ever after. The advice of an ancient French counseller to his sovereign at his departure from court, hath been elsewhere related. Being wished to lay down some general rules for government, he took a paper, and wrote on the top of it ‘moderation,’ in the middle of the leaf ‘moderation,’ and at the bottom ‘moderation.’ Then they will serve thee for ever.] Thou mayest afterwards use them at thy pleasure. Thus these politicians, according to that of the poet, “ Nil pudet assuetos sceptris. ” England was once called the Pope’s ass; and his officer John Florentinus was nicknamed Ferentinus for bearing away so much money from the English, of whom he received no less sums of curses than of coin, saith the chronicler. Speed.
Ver. 8. But he forsook the counsel of the old men.] With whom he consulted only for fashion’s sake—as Xerxes did when he went against Greece, -resolved beforehand to stand upon his pantofles, and not at all to stoop to the people. He had those about him, doubtless, that would tell him—as some court parasites did our king John, when he had yielded to the requests of his barons for the subjects’ liberty -that now he was “a king without a kingdom, a lord without a dominion, and a subject to his subjects.” And consulted with the young men.] So did our king Richard II, to his utter ruin. So did Xerxes despise the grave counsel of his uncle Artabanus; and was wholly led by young Mardonius, to the loss of all. The like is reported of Dionysius, king of Sicily; Croesus, king of Lydia; Nero, emperor of Rome; James, that reigned in Scotland in Edward IV’s time; and Lautrer, of whom it is reported that he lost the kingdom of Naples from the French king his master, and all that he had in Italy, because he would not ask nor follow the advice of them that were wiser than himself. Val. Max. Daniel. Herodot., lib. vii. Sueton. Daniel. Sir R. Berk., Sum. Bon.