That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying,
Ver. 3. That they sent and called him.] This was the act of the multitude, that shallow brained, but great and many headed beast. Jeroboam they picked as one that had been a prime officer amongst them; one that had suffered banishment for speaking freely for them, that was a mighty man of valour, 1Ki 11:28 and that had God's promise of the kingdom by the prophet Ahijah, who was also of the same tribe.
And Rehoboam and all the congregation.] An importable subsidy in Henry VIII's time, procured by Cardinal Wolsey, was, by the Commons, denied to be paid. a Suffolk rose up in arms making Poverty their captain, as here the aggrieved Israelites did Jeroboam, one that was born of himself, and of whom it might be said, as it was once of Caligula, Non meliorem unquam servum fuisse, nec deteriorem dominum, that there was not a better servant than he, nor a worse lord.
a Speed.