1. Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all the people of northern Israel had gathered to make him king.
2. When Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had gone to Egypt to escape from King Solomon, heard this news, he returned home.
3. The people of the northern tribes sent for him, and they all went together to Rehoboam and said to him,
4. “Your father placed heavy burdens on us. If you make these burdens lighter and make life easier for us, we will be your loyal subjects.”
5. Rehoboam replied, “Give me three days to consider the matter. Then come back.” So the people left.
6. King Rehoboam consulted the older men who had served as his father Solomon's advisers. “What answer do you advise me to give these people?” he asked.