1. Rehoboam went to Shechem. All of the people of Israel had gone there to make him king.
2. Jeroboam heard about it. He was the son of Nebat. Jeroboam was still in Egypt at that time. He had gone there for safety. He wanted to get away from King Solomon. But now he returned from Egypt.
3. So the people sent for Jeroboam. He and the whole community of Israel went to Rehoboam. They said to him,
4. "Your father put a heavy load on our shoulders. But now make our hard work easier. Make the heavy load on us lighter. Then we'll serve you."