1 Kings 12:7
Good News Translation
They replied, "If you want to serve this people well, give a favorable answer to their request, and they will always serve you loyally."

New Revised Standard Version
They answered him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.”

Contemporary English Version
They answered, "If you want them to serve and obey you, then you should do what they ask today. Tell them you will make their work easier."

New American Bible
They replied, “If today you become the servant of this people and serve them, and give them a favorable answer, they will be your servants forever.”

Douay-Rheims Bible
They said to him: If thou wilt yield to this people to day, and condescend to them, and grant their petition, and wilt speak gentle words to them, they will be thy servants always.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

They said to him: If thou wilt yield to this people to day, and condescend to them, and grant their petition, and wilt speak gentle words to them, they will be thy servants always.

If thou wilt

2 Chronicles 10:6,7 He took counsel with the ancients, who had stood before his father Solomon, while he yet lived, saying: What counsel give you to me, that I may answer the people? . . .

Proverbs 15:1 A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.

Mark 10:43,44 But it is not so among you: but whosoever will be greater shall be your minister. . . .

Philippians 2:7-11 But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. . . .

speak good

1 Kings 12:13 And the king answered the people roughly, leaving the counsel of the old men, which they had given him,

2 Samuel 15:3-6 And Absalom answered him: Thy words seem to me good and just. But there is no man appointed by the king to hear thee. And Absalom said: . . .

Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the spirit of him that hath power, ascend upon thee, leave not thy place: because care will make the greatest sins to cease.

Zechariah 1:13 And the Lord answered the angel, that spoke in me, good words, comfortable words.

Context
Rebellion Against Rehoboam
6King Roboam took counsel with the old men, that stood before Solomon, his father, while he yet lived, and he said: What counsel do you give me, that I may answer this people? 7They said to him: If thou wilt yield to this people to day, and condescend to them, and grant their petition, and wilt speak gentle words to them, they will be thy servants always.8But he left the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that had been brought up with him, and stood before him.…
Cross References
1 Kings 12:8
But he left the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that had been brought up with him, and stood before him.

2 Chronicles 10:7
And they said to him: If thou please this people, and soothe them with kind words, they will be thy servants for ever.

Proverbs 15:1
A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.

1 Kings 12:6
Top of Page
Top of Page