And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father [also] chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
Ver. 14. And spake to them after the counsel of the young men.] This was egregious folly. Green wood is ever shrinking and warping: whereas the well seasoned holdeth a constant firmness.
But I will chastise you with scorpions.] Vox haec dignior est carnifice quam rege. See 1 Kings 12:11 .