1
And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king.
2
So it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard it (he was in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon), that Jeroboam returned from Egypt.
3
Then they sent for him and called him. And Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,
4
"Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you."
5
So he said to them, "Come back to me after three days." And the people departed.
6
Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, saying, "How do you advise me to answer these people?"
7
And they spoke to him, saying, "If you are kind to these people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever."
8
But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.