1. Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all Israel had gathered to make him king.
2. When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of this, he returned from Egypt, for he had fled to Egypt to escape from King Solomon.
3. The leaders of Israel summoned him, and Jeroboam and all Israel went to speak with Rehoboam.
4. “Your father was a hard master,” they said. “Lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that your father imposed on us. Then we will be your loyal subjects.”
5. Rehoboam replied, “Come back in three days for my answer.” So the people went away.
6. Then King Rehoboam discussed the matter with the older men who had counseled his father, Solomon. “What is your advice?” he asked. “How should I answer these people?”
7. The older counselors replied, “If you are good to these people and do your best to please them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects.”
8. But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers.
9. “What is your advice?” he asked them. “How should I answer these people who want me to lighten the burdens imposed by my father?”