9
He asked them, "What's your advice? How should I answer these people? They said to me, 'Make the load your father put on our shoulders lighter.' "
10
The young men who had grown up with him gave their answer. They replied, "The people have said to you, 'Your father put a heavy load on our shoulders. Make it lighter.' Tell them, 'My little finger is stronger than my father's legs.
11
My father put a heavy load on your shoulders. But I'll make it even heavier. My father beat you with whips. But I'll beat you with bigger whips.' "
12
Three days later Jeroboam and all of the people returned to Rehoboam. That's because the king had said, "Come back to me in three days."
13
The king answered them in a mean way. He didn't accept the advice of the elders.