1 Kings 12:7
5 And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.
6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?
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.
8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:
9 And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- 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.”
- 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.
- 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.”
- ASV
- 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.
- DARBY
- And they spoke to him saying, If this day thou wilt be a servant to this people, and wilt serve them and answer them and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.
- BLB
- And they spoke to him, saying, “If today you will be a servant to this people, and serve them and answer them, and speak to them good words, then they will be servants to you all the days.”
- ÅB
- De svarte ham: Hvis du idag lyder dette folk og retter deg etter dem og gir dem gode ord til svar, så vil de være dine tjenere for alle tider.
- OTB
- De talte til ham og sa: "Hvis du vil være en tjener for dette folket i dag, og tjene dem og gi dem deres ønske og tale vennlige ord til dem, da vil de være dine tjenere for alltid."
- B1930
- De svarte ham: Hvis du idag lyder dette folk og retter dig efter dem og gir dem gode ord til svar, så vil de være dine tjenere for alle tider.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Read in contextPhilippians 2:7–11
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Read in context2 Samuel 15:3–6
And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
Read in context2 Chronicles 10:6–7
And 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?
Read in contextZechariah 1:13
And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.
Read in contextMark 10:43–44
But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
Read in context1 Kings 12:13
And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him;
Read in contextEcclesiastes 10:4
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
Read in context