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.
9
And he said to them, "What advice do you give? How should we answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, 'Lighten the yoke which your father put on us'?"
10
Then the young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, "Thus you should speak to the people who have spoken to you, saying, 'Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter on us'--thus you shall say to them: 'My little finger shall be thicker than my father's waist!
11
And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!' "
12
So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king had directed, saying, "Come back to me the third day."