1 Kings 12:3

“That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying,”

Immediate Context

The preceding line reads “And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;)” The titled verse reads “That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying,” The following line reads “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.” Together, these lines show how 1 Kings 12:3 functions within its immediate canonical and literary sequence.

Reading the Verse

The verse records spoken words within a historical scene. Meaning depends on who speaks, who receives the words, and what prompted the exchange. The statement must therefore remain connected to its narrative setting.

The verse first states “That they sent and called him.” It then adds “And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying,” Reading both movements together prevents either half of the verse from being isolated from the other.

Biblical Significance

Recorded speech reveals decisions, questions, commands, fears, promises, or responses within the biblical account. Keeping the correct words with the correct speaker is essential to understanding the event faithfully.

Application

Readers should ask what the speech accomplishes in the scene and how the surrounding narrative evaluates it. The text invites careful listening before any principle is drawn from the speaker’s words.

Read in this setting, 1 Kings 12:3 speaks through its own wording and context. Its claims, emphasis, and appropriate application all begin with the KJV text printed above.