1 Now Rehoboam set out for Shechem. For in that place all of Israel had convened, so that they might appoint him as king.
2 But when Jeroboam, the son of Nabat, who was in Egypt, (indeed he had fled to that place from Solomon) had heard it, he promptly returned.
3 And they summoned him, and he arrived with all of Israel. And they spoke to Rehoboam, saying:
4 "Your father pressed upon us a very difficult yoke. You should govern us more lightly than your father, who imposed on us a heavy servitude, and so lift up some of the burden, so that we may serve you."
5 But he said, "Return to me after three days." And when the people had gone away,
6 he took counsel with the elders, who had stood before his father Solomon while he was still living, saying, "What counsel would you give to me, so that I may respond to the people?"
7 And they said to him, "If you please this people, and if you soothe them with words of clemency, they will be your servants for all days."