1. Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king.
2. Now it came to pass that when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard this—for he was in Egypt where he had fled from King Solomon—Jeroboam returned from Egypt.
3. So they sent and summoned him; and Jeroboam and all Israel came to Rehoboam and spoke to Rehoboam saying,
4. “Your father made our yoke grievous but now lighten the harsh labor of your father and his heavy yoke that he put on us—then we will serve you.”
5. He answered them, “Come back to me in three days.” So the people departed.
6. Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon while he was alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?”
7. They answered him saying, “If you will be kind to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”
8. But he disregarded the counsel that the elders had given him and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him.