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."
5. Rehoboam answered, "Go away for three days. Then come back to me." So the people went away.
6. King Rehoboam asked the elders for advice. They had served his father Solomon while he was still living. Rehoboam asked them, "What advice can you give me? How should I answer these people?"
7. They replied, "Serve them today. Give them what they are asking for. Then they'll always serve you."