The Geneva Bible Translation Notes, [1599], at sacred-texts.com
(a) After the death of Solomon.
Thy father (b) made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.
(b) That is, handled us rudely, it seems that God hardened their hearts, so that they murmured without cause, which declares also the inconstancy of the people.
But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that (c) stood before him.
(c) Or, that stood by him, that is, which were of his counsel and secrets.
And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou [it] somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My (d) little [finger] shall be thicker than my father's loins.
(d) Or, little finger, meaning that he was of far greater power than his father was.
So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the (e) cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
(e) God's will overrides all so that nothing can be done but according to the same, and yet man's will works by itself, so that he cannot use the excuse that his deed was of God's ordinance.