“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
12:4 Grievous - By heavy taxes and impositions, not only for the templeand his magnificent buildings, but for the expenses of his numerous court,and of so many wives and concubines. And Solomon having so grosslyforsaken God, it is no wonder if he oppressed the people.
12:7 This day - By complying with their desires, and condescending tothem for a season, till thou art better established in thy throne. Theyuse this expression, fore - seeing that some would dissuade him from thiscourse, as below the majesty of a prince. And answer - Thy service is nothard, it is only a few good words, which it is as easy to give as bad ones.
12:8 Young men - So called, comparatively to the old men: otherwisethey were near forty years old.