2
When Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had gone to Egypt to escape from King Solomon, heard this news, he returned home.
3
The people of the northern tribes sent for him, and they all went together to Rehoboam and said to him,
4
"Your father placed heavy burdens on us. If you make these burdens lighter and make life easier for us, we will be your loyal subjects."
5
Rehoboam replied, "Give me three days to consider the matter. Then come back." So the people left.
6
King Rehoboam consulted the older men who had served as his father Solomon's advisers. "What answer do you advise me to give these people?" he asked.
7
They replied, "If you are kind to these people and try to please them by giving a considerate answer, they will always serve you loyally."
8
But he ignored the advice of the older men and went instead to the young men who had grown up with him and who were now his advisers.
9
"What do you advise me to do?" he asked. "What shall I say to the people who are asking me to make their burdens lighter?"
10
They replied, "This is what you should tell them: "My little finger is thicker than my father's waist.'
11
Tell them, "My father placed heavy burdens on you; I will make them even heavier. He beat you with whips; I'll flog you with bullwhips!' "
12
Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to King Rehoboam, as he had instructed them.