Tax Raises Cause a Split
My husband told the following story:
Long ago there was a king. He was a new king. He was trying to get the people who lived far to the north to adhere to his sovereignty. So he asked his elder advisers: What shall I do? They told him to speak gently to the people, and the people will serve him. He did not take the advice of these elders. He then went to the younger advisers. The young advisers told him to say: “My father chastised you with whips, I will chastise you with scorpions.” They wanted him to show the people who is boss and increase their burden. And that he did. And he lost the kingdom.
For more on this story of Rehoboam, read A Divided Nation on the Aish website or Kings Chapter 12 (Melachim Bet).
How was this related to last week’s parsha? We learned about the law of jealousy in the ten commandments, and from there, my husband told the story of jealous Jezebel, and then there were more stories from the Prophets…
Ilana-Davita says
This story is short but to the point; which I suppose is an indication that it is a good story.
Leora says
I shortened it when I wrote it, too.
Daniel Saunders says
You missed my favourite bit of the story, the line about "My father chastised you with whips, I will chastise you with scorpions." That's a great, if unpleasant, image.
Leora says
OK, I'll add it in.
Thanks for reading and responding... I love when I get to the energy and idea to write this sort of post.
Jew Wishes says
Great post! Short, to the point and filled with vivid imagery.
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