1. Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king.
2. When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard this (he was in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from Egypt.
3. So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and all Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him:
4. ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labour and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.’
5. Rehoboam answered, ‘Come back to me in three days.’ So the people went away.
6. Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. ‘How would you advise me to answer these people?’ he asked.
7. They replied, ‘If you will be kind to these people and please them and give them a favourable answer, they will always be your servants.’