1. And Rehoboam goeth to Shechem, for [to] Shechem have all Israel come to cause him to reign.
2. And it cometh to pass, at Jeroboam son of Nebat's--who [is] in Egypt because he hath fled from the face of Solomon the king--hearing, that Jeroboam turneth back out of Egypt;
3. and they send and call for him, and Jeroboam cometh in, and all Israel, and speak unto Rehoboam, saying,
4. `Thy father made our yoke sharp, and now, make light [somewhat] of the sharp service of thy father, and of his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we serve thee.'
5. And he saith unto them, `Yet three days--then return ye unto me;' and the people go.
6. And king Rehoboam consulteth with the aged men who have been standing before Solomon his father in his being alive, saying, `How are ye counselling to answer this people?'
7. And they speak unto him, saying, `If thou dost become good to this people, and hast been pleased with them, and spoken unto them good words, then they have been to thee servants all the days.'