And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,
Rehoboam met the people's appeal with a harsh reply, deliberately setting aside the advice of the older, experienced counselors. Pride and an unfeeling exercise of royal authority moved him to reject the reforms the situation required and instead to carry forward the burdensome, oppressive measures that had taken shape under Solomon. That refusal to relieve the people hastened the rupture that divided the kingdom of Israel.
Rehoboam met the people's appeal with a harsh reply, deliberately setting aside the advice of the older, experienced counselors. Pride and an unfeeling exercise of royal authority moved him to reject the reforms the situation required and instead to carry forward the burdensome, oppressive measures that had taken shape under Solomon. That refusal to relieve the people hastened the rupture that divided the kingdom of Israel.