1 Kings 12:7
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.
1 Kings 12:7 in other translations
| 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.” |
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| 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. |
| YLT | And they speak unto him, saying, ‘If, to-day, thou art servant to this people, and hast served them, and answered them, and spoken unto them good words, then they have been to thee servants all the days.' |
| 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. |
| BBE | And they said to him, If you will be a servant to this people today, caring for them and giving them a gentle answer, then they will be your servants for ever. |
| Webster | And they spoke to him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant to 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. |
What does 1 Kings 12:7 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 12:5-8
5-8. he said ... Depart yet for three days--It was prudent to take the people's demand into calm and deliberate consideration. Whether, had the advice of the sage and experienced counsellors been followed, any good result would have followed, it is impossible to say. It would at least have removed all pretext for the separation. [See on 2Ch 10:7.] But he preferred the counsel of his young companions (not in age, for…
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Kings 12:1-15
The tribes complained not to Rehoboam of his father's idolatry, and revolt from God. That which was the greatest grievance, was none to them; so careless were they in matters of religion, if they might live at ease, and pay no taxes. Factious spirits will never want something to complain of. And when we see the Scripture account of Solomon's reign; the peace, wealth, and prosperity Israel then enjoyed; we cannot…
1 Kings 12:7 in the original Hebrew
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 1 Kings 12:7
- Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
- Philippians 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: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; …
- 2 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. Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
- 2 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? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.
- Zechariah 1:13
And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.
- Mark 10:43-44
But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
- 1 Kings 12:13
And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him;
- Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ch 10:6,7; Pr 15:1; Mr 10:43,44; Php 2:7-11
speak good.
13; 2Sa 15:3-6; Ec 10:4; Zec 1:13
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- 1 Kings 12:6
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?
- 1 Kings 12:7
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.
- 1 Kings 12:8
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:
1 Kings 12:7 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y ellos le hablaron, diciendo: Si tú fueres hoy siervo de este pueblo, y lo sirvieres, y respondiéndole buenas palabras les hablares, ellos te servirán para siempre. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Et ils lui parlèrent, disant: Si aujourd’hui tu deviens serviteur de ce peuple, et que tu les serves, et leur répondes, et leur dises de bonnes paroles, ils seront toujours tes serviteurs. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Und sie redeten zu ihm und sprachen: Wenn du heute dieses Volkes Knecht wirst und ihnen dienst und sie erhörst und gütige Worte zu ihnen redest, so werden sie deine Knechte sein alle Tage. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Qui dixerunt ei: Si hodie obedieris populo huic, et servieris, et petitioni eorum cesseris, locutusque fueris ad eos verba lenia, erunt tibi servi cunctis diebus. |