1. And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king.
2. So it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard it (he was in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon), that Jeroboam returned from Egypt.
3. Then they sent for him and called him. And Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,
4. “Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.”
5. So he said to them, “Come back to me after three days.” And the people departed.
6. Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, saying, “How do you advise me to answer these people?”
7. And they spoke to him, saying, “If you are kind to these people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever.”