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 yet in Mitzrayim, where he had fled from the presence of king Shlomo, and Yarov`am lived in Mitzrayim,
3
and they sent and called him), that Yarov`am and all the assembly of Yisra'el came, and 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, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. 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 will be a servant to this people this day, and will serve them, and answer 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 do you give, 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 this people who spoke to you, saying, Your father made our yoke heavy, but make you it lighter to us; thus shall you speak to them, My little finger is thicker than my father's loins.
11
Now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.