1 REHOBOAM WENT to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king.
2 And when Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of it–for he still dwelt in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon–[he] returned from Egypt.
3 And they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and said to Rehoboam,
4 Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore lighten the hard service and the heavy yoke your father put upon us, and we will serve you.
5 He replied, Go away for three days and then return to me. So the people departed.
6 And King Rehoboam consulted with the old men who stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived and said, How do you advise me to answer this people?
7 And they said to him, If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them and answer them with good words, they will be your servants forever.