1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel
come to make him king.
2 And
it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in
Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.
3 And
they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to
Rehoboam, saying,
4 Thy
father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous
servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will
serve thee.
5 And
he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.
6 And
king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his
father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to
return answer to this people?
7 And
they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them,
and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.
8 But
he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the
young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.
9 And
he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this
people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father
did put upon us?
10 And
the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt
thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke
heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt
thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's
loins.
11 For
whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my
father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
12 So
Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king
bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.
13 And
the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the
old men,
14 And
answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your
yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with
scorpions.
15 So
the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD
might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to
Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
16 And
when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto
them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none
inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now,
David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents.
17 But as for the
children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over
them.
18 Then
king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of
Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to
get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
