1
Rehoboam went to Shechem because all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king.
2
Jeroboam (Nebat's son) was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon. When he heard [about Rehoboam], he returned from Egypt.
3
[Israel] sent for Jeroboam and invited him back. Jeroboam and all Israel went to speak to Rehoboam. They said,
4
"Your father made us carry a heavy burden. Reduce the hard work and lighten the heavy burden he put on us, and we will serve you."
5
He said to them, "Come back the day after tomorrow." So the people left.
6
King Rehoboam sought advice from the older leaders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive. He asked, "What do you advise? How should I respond to these people?"
7
They told him, "If you are good to these people and try to please them by speaking gently to them, then they will always be your servants."
8
But he ignored the advice the older leaders gave him. He sought advice from the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.
9
He asked them, "What is your advice? How should we respond to these people who are asking me to lighten the burden my father put on them?"