1 Kings 12:12-15
Return <07725> [Come to me again.]
responded <06030> [answered.]
harshly <07186> [roughly. Heb. hardly.]
rejected <05800> [forsook.]
advice <06098> [the counsel.]
father ... heavy ............ father <01 03513> [My father made.]
turn of events <05438> [the cause.]
The cause of all this confusion and anarchy was Rehoboam's folly, cruelty, and despotic tyranny, and this was certainly not "from the Lord," nor does the original text speak this doctrine. See an elucidation of a similar passage at 2 Sa 24:1. It says, {sibbah,} (from {savav,} to turn, change,) "the change or Revolution was from the Lord;" which is consistent with all the preceding declarations. God stirred up the people to revolt from a man who had neither skill nor humanity to govern them. God serves his own wise and righteous purpose by the imprudences and iniquities of men, and snares sinners in the work of their own hands. "He maketh the wrath of man to praise him."
<06965> [that he might.]
