2. Jeroboam son of Nebat was still in Egypt. He had gone there to escape from Solomon. When Jeroboam heard about Rehoboam being made king, Jeroboam returned from Egypt.
3. So the people sent for him. Then he and the people went to Rehoboam. They said to Rehoboam,
4. “Your father forced us to work very hard. Now, make it easier for us. Don’t make us work as hard as your father did. Then we will serve you.”
5. Rehoboam answered, “Come back to me in three days. Then I will answer you.” So the people left.
6. Some of the elders had helped Solomon make decisions during his lifetime. So King Rehoboam asked them what he should do. He said, “How do you think I should answer these people?”
7. They answered, “You should be like a servant to them today. Serve them, and give them a kind answer. If you do, they will serve you always.”
8. But Rehoboam did not listen to this advice. He asked the young men who had grown up with him. They advised him in making decisions.
9. Rehoboam said, “The people said, ‘Don’t make us work as hard as your father did.’ How do you think I should answer them? What is your advice?”
10. The young men answered, “Those people came to you and said, ‘Your father forced us to work very hard. Now make our work easier.’ So you should tell them, ‘My little finger is bigger than my father’s whole body.
11. My father forced you to work hard. But I will make you work even harder! My father beat you with whips. But I will beat you with whips that have sharp points.’”