1
And Roboam went to Sichem: for thither all Israel were assembled, to make him king.
2
And when Jeroboam the son of Nabat, who was in Egypt, (for he was fled thither from Solomon,) heard it, forthwith he returned.
3
And they sent for him, and he came with all Israel, and they spoke to Roboam, saying:
4
Thy father oppressed with a most grievous yoke, do thou govern us with a lighter hand than thy father, who laid upon us a heavy servitude, and ease some thing of the burden, that we may serve thee.
5
And he said to them: Come to me again after three days. And when the people were gone,
6
He took counsel with the ancients, who had stood before his father Solomon, while he yet lived, saying: What counsel give you to me, that I may answer the people?
7
And they said to him: If thou please this people, and soothe them with kind words, they will be thy servants for ever.
8
But he forsook the counsel of the ancients, and began to treat with the young men, that had been brought up with him, and were in his train.
9
And he said to them: What seemeth good to you? or what shall I answer this people, who have said to me: Ease the yoke which thy father laid upon us?