1. Rehoboam went to Shechem because all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king.
2. Jer o boam (Nebat’s son) was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon. When he heard ⌊about Rehoboam⌋, he returned from Egypt.
3. ⌊Israel⌋ sent for Jer o boam and invited him back. Jer o boam and all Israel went to speak to Rehoboam. They said,
4. “Your father made us carry a heavy burden. Reduce the hard work and lighten the heavy burden he put on us, and we will serve you.”
5. He said to them, “Come back the day after tomorrow.” So the people left.
6. King Rehoboam sought advice from the older leaders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive. He asked, “What do you advise? How should I respond to these people?”
7. They told him, “If you are good to these people and try to please them by speaking gently to them, then they will always be your servants.”
8. But he ignored the advice the older leaders gave him. He sought advice from the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.
9. He asked them, “What is your advice? How should we respond to these people who are asking me to lighten the burden my father put on them?”