The works of the Rev. William Thom, late minister ... - waughfamily.ca

^OSF.RMONS*liilied by Jeroboam himfelf ;) and therefore, as wellas for the other, caufe I mentioned, Solomon fought tokill Jeroboam, and Jeroboam arofe and fled into Egypt;for even in the decline of Solomon's affairs, he darednot to remain in Judah. He efcaped into Egypt; butas foon as he heard of Solomon's death, he was it feemsin no fear of Rehoboam, or he thought of Ahijah's prophecy,and refolved to return ; and, at the fame time,he was by the ten tribes invited and entreated to returnhome. He is, we fee, along with the heads ofthe tribes when they prefent their petition to Rehoboamj for Jeroboam, and all the congregation of Ifraelcame, and fpoke unto Rehoboam, faying, " Thyfather made our yoke grievous ; now therefore makethou the grievous fervice of thy father, and his heavyyoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will ferve.thee." This i» the com.plaint of the Ifraelites, theirpetition of right, the cciidition on which they wereto make Rehoboam their king. You will here remark,that the com.plaint is only againfl Solomon.David had made a league with the ten tribes ; andit feems he kept to his oath, and did not violatetheir rights. It was Solomon that did fo. You willalfo rem.ark, that there are two particular grievancescomplained of; the " grievous fervice," and " theheavy yoke." Solomon was moft partof his reign occupiedin great buildings ; the fervice, the perfonal labourat thefe works was exceedingly grievous.'* KingSolomon raifed a levy out of all Ifrael, and the levywas thirty thoufand men. He had threefcore andten thoufand that bare burdens, and fourfcore thoufandhewers in the mountains, befides the chief officerswhich were over the work, three thoufand andthree hundred which ruled over the people thatwrought in the work." This levy was the grievousfervice of men. The heavy yoke was the levy of taxes,and it xvas not lefs grievous. " And this is the reafonof the levy which King Solomon raifed for to