The older counselors replied, “If you are willing to be a servant to these people today and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects.”
Parallel translations
- WEB They replied, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them, and answer them with good words, then they will be your servants forever.”
- KJV And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.
- BSB They replied, “If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.”
- NKJV And they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”
- NASB Then they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them and grant them their request, and speak pleasant words to them, then they will be your servants always.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The elders advise Rehoboam to serve the people and speak kindly, and they will be loyal forever. Wise counsel urges humble, servant leadership.
Overview
The elders counsel a posture of service and gracious words, promising lasting loyalty in return. Their advice reflects a biblical principle that true authority is exercised through servanthood. This anticipates the greater truth embodied in Christ, who taught and modeled that the greatest leader is the servant of all.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Prov 15:1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- 1 Kgs 12:13The king answered the people roughly, and abandoned the counsel of the old men which they had given him,
- Zech 1:13Yahweh answered the angel who talked with me with kind and comforting words.
- 2 Sam 15:3–6Absalom said to him, “Behold, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputized by the king to hear you.”
- 2 Chr 10:6–7King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, “What counsel do you give me about how to answer these people?”
- Phil 2:7–11but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
- Eccl 10:4If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
- Mark 10:43–44But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Solomon's glory, wisdom, and temple where God's presence dwells are a shadow of the greater Son of David — 'one greater than Solomon is here' — and of the true Temple, Christ himself.
How 1 Kings 12:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.