The king answered the people harshly: The Hebrew adjective translated harshly comes from the same root as the verb translated “made heavy” in verse 4. Here it qualifies the speaking of the king as being done in a severe and unkind way. New Century Version translates “King Rehoboam spoke cruel words to them” while Contemporary English Version has “He spoke bluntly.”

Forsaking the counsel which the old men had given him is a reference to verse 8. See the comments there, especially on “forsook.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .