Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Kings 12:1-15

"And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was yet in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt, and they sent and called him), that Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed. 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 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. But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men that were grown up with him, that stood before him. And he said unto them, What counsel give ye, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that thy father did put upon us lighter? And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou say unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou speak unto them, My little finger is thicker than my father`s loins. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come to me again the third day. And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. So the king hearkened not unto the people; for it was a thing brought about of Jehovah, that he might establish his word, which Jehovah spake by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat." — 1 Kings 12:1-15 (ASV)

The tribes did not complain to Rehoboam about his father's idolatry and rebellion against God. What was the greatest grievance was no grievance to them; they were so careless in matters of religion, if they could live at ease and pay no taxes. Factious spirits will never lack something to complain about.

And when we see the scriptural account of Solomon's reign—the peace, wealth, and prosperity Israel then enjoyed—we cannot doubt that their charges were false, or far beyond the truth. Rehoboam answered the people according to the counsel of the young men. Never was a man more blinded by pride and the desire for arbitrary power; nothing is more fatal.

God's purposes were fulfilled in this way. He left Rehoboam to his own folly and hid from his eyes the things which belonged to his peace, so that the kingdom might be torn from him. God serves his own wise and righteous purposes by the imprudent acts and sins of men. Those who lose the kingdom of heaven throw it away, as Rehoboam did, by willfulness and folly.