1 Kings 12:7 “They replied, “If you will be a servant to these people and serve them…”

1 Kings 12:7

They replied, “If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.”

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

They replied, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them, and answer them with good words, then they will be your servants forever.”

American Standard Version

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.

Geneva Bible 1599

And they spake vnto him, saying, If thou be a seruant vnto this people this day, and serue them, and answere them, and speake kinde wordes to them, they will be thy seruants for euer.

Darby Translation

And they spoke to him saying, If this day thou wilt be a servant to this people, and wilt serve them and answer them and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.

Young's Literal Translation

And they speak unto him, saying, 'If, to-day, thou art servant to this people, and hast served them, and answered them, and spoken unto them good words, then they have been to thee servants all the days.'

Bible in Basic English

And they said to him, If you will be a servant to this people today, caring for them and giving them a gentle answer, then they will be your servants for ever.

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Cross references

“If thou wilt”

Proverbs 15:1 Philippians 2:7–11 2 Chronicles 10:6 2 Chronicles 10:7 Mark 10:43 Mark 10:44

Proverbs 15:1 · BSB

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Philippians 2:7–11 · BSB

but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.

2 Chronicles 10:6 · BSB

Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked.

2 Chronicles 10:7 · BSB

They replied, “If you will be kind to these people and please them by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.”

Mark 10:43 · BSB

But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

Mark 10:44 · BSB

and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all.

“speak good”

1 Kings 12:13 2 Samuel 15:3–6 Ecclesiastes 10:4 Zechariah 1:13

1 Kings 12:13 · BSB

And the king answered the people harshly. He rejected the advice of the elders

2 Samuel 15:3–6 · BSB

Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.”

Ecclesiastes 10:4 · BSB

If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.

Zechariah 1:13 · BSB

So the LORD spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who was speaking with me.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

6Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked.

8But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him.

Read 1 Kings 12