Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.
Ver. 4. Thy father made our yoke grievous.] We are sensible how our necks were pinched and galled by means of thy father's works and wars; the hard services and great taxes put upon us for the maintenance of his royalty, and great retinue of strange women especially; which charge they could not bear, but their idolatry they could well enough brook. Worldly men are only sensible of worldly damages: Mundi divitias magis amant quam Christi delicias.
Make thou his heavy yoke lighter.] Alleva iugum. These malcontented Mεμψιμοιροι had had a fine time, a golden age under Solomon's government, but never found the worth, till they felt the want of it. Bona a tergo sunt formosissima, blessings are most beautiful behind.