A heavy yoke is a metaphor for very difficult labor and requirements. See how you translated this in [1 Kings 12:4](../12/04.md). Alternate translation: "treated you cruelly" or "forced you to work very hard" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])
This metaphor means that the punishment Rehoboam plans to give will be worse than what his father gave. See how you translated this in [1 Kings 12:11](../12/11.md). Alternate translation: "My father used whips to force you to work but I will use even crueler punishment" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])