3
The people sent and called for Jeroboam, who along with all Israel came and said to Rehoboam,
4
"Your father made our workload very heavy; if you will lessen the demands your father made of us and lighten the heavy workload he demanded from us, then we will serve you."
5
He answered them, "Come back in three days." So the people left.
6
King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon when he was alive. "What do you advise?" Rehoboam asked. "How should I respond to these people?"
7
"If you are kind to these people and try to please them by speaking gently with them," they replied, "they will be your servants forever."