1. Now Rehoboam set out for Shechem. For in that place all of Israel had convened, so that they might appoint him as king.
2. But when Jeroboam, the son of Nabat, who was in Egypt, (indeed he had fled to that place from Solomon) had heard it, he promptly returned.
3. And they summoned him, and he arrived with all of Israel. And they spoke to Rehoboam, saying:
4. "Your father pressed upon us a very difficult yoke. You should govern us more lightly than your father, who imposed on us a heavy servitude, and so lift up some of the burden, so that we may serve you."
5. But he said, "Return to me after three days." And when the people had gone away,
6. he took counsel with the elders, who had stood before his father Solomon while he was still living, saying, "What counsel would you give to me, so that I may respond to the people?"