1
And Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king.
2
And it came to pass when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard it (now he was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of king Solomon) that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.
3
And they sent and called him; and Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam saying,
4
Thy father made our yoke grievous; and now lighten the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.
5
And he said to them, Come again to me after three days. And the people departed.
6
And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, How do ye advise to return answer to this people?
7
And they spoke to him saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.
8
But he forsook the advice of the old men which they had given him, and consulted with the young men, who had grown up with him, that stood before him.
9
And he said to them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me saying, Lighten the yoke which thy father put upon us?