And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken not unto him, nor consent.

And all the ancients, and all the people said to him: Hearken not to him, nor consent to him.

And all the elders and all the people said to him, Listen not to him, nor consent.

And all the responsible men and the people said to him, Do not give attention to him or do what he says.

And all those greater by birth, with all the people, said to him, "You should neither listen, nor acquiesce to him."

"The people" had no distinct place in the ordinary Jewish or Israelite constitution; but they were accustomed to signify their approbation or disapprobation of the decisions of the elders by acclamations or complaints (Joshua 9:18; Judges 11:11, etc.).

Hearken not unto him - The elders had every thing at stake, and they chose rather to make a desperate defense than tamely to yield to such degrading and ruinous conditions.

And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken (d) not [unto him], nor consent.
(d) They thought it their duty to risk their lives, rather than grant that thing which was not lawful, only to satisfy the lust of a tyrant.

And all the elders and all the people said unto him,.... They were unanimous in their advice:
hearken not unto him, nor consent; promising, no doubt, that they would stand by him.