Who was Rehoboam?
Rehoboam was Solomon's son and the heir apparent to Israel's throne after Solomon died. When he came on the scene, the elders of Israel appealed to him, noting that his father's great and glorious kingdom had been built at the expense of the ordinary taxpayer.
Les explains that after Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam was naturally heir apparent to the throne. When Rehoboam came on the scene, the elders of Israel told him that his father had built a great and glorious kingdom, but it was at the expense of the ordinary taxpayer. Les connects this to the present day, noting that tax increases often lead to even greater government spending, just as a dollar raised in taxes can result in a dollar and eighty-three cents spent.