According to the instructions of the king, the people return to meet with him on the third day. Notice that the name of Jeroboam, as before, is placed in such a way as to imply that he was the leader of the delegation.
Before he tells the answer that Rehoboam gave to the request, the writer describes the manner of speaking as harsh.
The word sometimes is translated rough
and even cruel.
This displays a major miscalculation on Rehoboam’s part. What was the miscalculation? For one thing, the king did not understand that there was no agreement between him and the people as to the nature of the meeting. Rehoboam viewed the meeting as an opportunity for the new king to lay down the law
in regard to the complaints and request of the people. The people, conversely, saw the meeting as a method by which they might determine whether to remain loyal to the house of David.
Those who are planning to give a negative answer to the request of a group of people that is considering rebellion are wise, if they, at least, attempt to say it as gently as possible. Sadly for him, Rehoboam believed he could reply in any manner he wished.
Instead of a soft answer, the king uses the very words that the young men have suggested. We shall see that his words did not sit very well with the people.
12 Jéroboam et tout le peuple vinrent à Roboam le troisième jour, suivant ce qu'avait dit le roi: Revenez vers moi dans trois jours.