## My little finger is thicker than my father's waist ##

This means that Rehoboam is meaner and more intimidating than his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

## My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions ##

This means that the punishment Rehoboam plans to give will be worse than what his father gave. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

## punish you with scorpions ##

The word "scorpions" may refer to 1) a whip with sharp metal barbs on the end, or 2) a spider-like creature that has a poisonous sting.