1
Rechav`am went to Shekhem; for all Yisra'el were come to Shekhem to make him king.
2
It happened, when Yarov`am the son of Nevat heard of it, (for he was in Mitzrayim, where he had fled from the presence of king Shlomo,) that Yarov`am returned out of Mitzrayim.
3
They sent and called him; and Yarov`am and all Yisra'el came, and they spoke to Rechav`am, saying,
4
Your father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make you the grievous service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, lighter, and we will serve you.
5
He said to them, Come again to me after three days. The people departed.
6
King Rechav`am took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Shlomo his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give you me to return answer to this people?
7
They spoke to him, saying, If you are kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.
8
But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.
9
He said to them, What counsel give you, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that your father did put on us lighter?
10
The young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, Thus shall you tell the people who spoke to you, saying, Your father made our yoke heavy, but make you it lighter to us; thus shall you say to them, My little finger is thicker than my father's loins.