2
Jeroboam son of Nebat was in Egypt, where he had gone to escape from King Solomon. When Jeroboam heard about Rehoboam being made king, he returned from Egypt.
3
After the people sent for him, he and the people went to Rehoboam and said to him,
4
"Your father forced us to work very hard. Now, make it easier for us, and don't make us work as he did. Then we will serve you."
5
Rehoboam answered, "Come back to me in three days." So the people left.
6
King Rehoboam asked the older leaders who had advised Solomon during his lifetime, "How do you think I should answer these people?"