Insult

Dorma Guice
Apr 1, 2021
5 min read

Definition: to speak to or treat with disrespect or scornful abuse*

Approximate Number of Occurrences in Scripture (48)

Read: 1 Kings 12:1-24 for full context of this account

1 Kings 12:10-11 (NLT) 10 The young men replied, “This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! 11 Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’”

That Was Then

King Solomon, the wisest man living during his lifetime, wrote in Ecclesiastes 2:18-19 (NIV) “I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.” Boy, if that ain’t prophetic after reading this account…! Rehoboam, the cerebral antithesis of Solomon, succeeded his father after his death.

Solomon’s forty year legacy included completing the Temple of the LORD as well as building his elaborate palace. Both projects imposed heavy labor and tax burdens on the Israelites, who immediately met with Rehoboam to request relief from the harsh yoke. At first he seemed to behave in a manner befitting a king. He didn’t answer immediately but took three days to seek wisdom. He sought the counsel of the older men who were Solomon’s advisers. Being that they were once the advisor’s advisers, they astutely directed Rehoboam to lighten the load, thus winning all the Israelites’ hearts and building a strong union and legacy as a great king.

Here’s where he blew a fuse. He rejected their counsel and ran the matter past his young friends who grew up with him. Even though their advice was scathing, disrespectful and chock full of insults, Rehoboam ran with it, telling the Israelites verbatim what his foolish unprincipled buddies said: “My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’ As you can imagine, that response was not well received by the Israelites. Upon realizing their request for economic recovery and labor relief was met with insults and insensitivity, right then they seceded the union with the same battle cry that was used when Sheba rebelled against David (vs. 16 and 2 Samuel 20:1). The ten northern tribes called an assembly and made Jeroboam king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to Rehoboam. (This one insult was the impetus of the civil wars that followed as there was not one northern tribe that didn’t refuse to be ruled by a descendant of David.) In a manic attempt at a do over, he sent Adoniram, his official in charge of forced labor – the one who personified their oppression, to mediate some new terms; but they stoned him to death. Having fatally divided the kingdom of Israel into two nations his first month on the throne, he mounted his horse and fled to Jerusalem.

This is Now

When I was in high school during the eighties, playing “the dozens” was a popular pastime. For you who are unfamiliar, the dozens is a battle of insults with only one objective – humiliate your opponent. Since there were no rules, nothing was off limits. While a crowd of instigators laughed and jeered, two people would face off with their harshest material, poking fun at the other’s appearance, intelligence (or lack thereof), social/financial status, family and the famed “yo mamma” jibes. The one who stumped their opponent, rendering them incapable of a comeback (likely because they were either pushed to tears or a fit of rage) was crowned the winner.

This form of banter, which spans generations, cultures and social classes, still finds its way into our verbal, written and hi-tech communication. Insults can be heard virtually everywhere – in our homes, the workplace, on television, radio, online, in video games, printed material and face-to-face social interactions. The more crude, the more laughs, hits, likes, retweets, comments and traction gained. Insults are exchanged as much among friends and acquaintances (frenemies) as with arch rivals. A great example is George Barnard Shaw, who reportedly sent the following note to Winston Churchill: “I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend. If you have one.” Winston Churchill replied with the following retort: “Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second… if there is one.”** The primary reason insults are so common is they wear many disguises and can be expressed in blatant, benign or backhanded ways. Frequently, biting comments are worked into conversations, leaving the recipient confused because it came from a familiar person, was packaged like a compliment and expressed with a smile versus a snarl. For instance, a mother could tell her daughter “you’d be really pretty if you lost weight”. Or someone could say to their co-worker “Congratulations! That promotion was begging for someone with no life”.

Whatever the delivery method, insults leave scars and if heard repeatedly, can greatly impair psychological development and social interaction. More than just annoying sound bites, they target our identities, egos, lifestyles and self-worth. Insults serve as the fodder for emotional abuse and bullying. Both children and adults who experience repeated insulting can suffer from a number of adverse conditions ranging from low self-esteem, attention deficit, isolation, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse to suicidal tendencies. Although we have no control over when, how or who an insult will come by, our reaction is completely up to us. Personally, I prefer taking a page from King Solomon’s book – A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Proverbs 12:16 (NIV).

Who Said That?!!!

“Insults are the arguments employed by those who are in the wrong.” – Jean Jacques Rousseau***

What Do You Say?

AFFIRMATION: "I am capable of expressing my feelings clearly - without resorting to insults."

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