1 Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all Israel had come to make him king.
2 When Jeroboam, Nebat’s son, heard the news, he returned from Egypt where he had fled from King Solomon.
3 The people sent and called for Jeroboam, who along with all Israel came and said to Rehoboam,
4 "Your father made our workload very heavy; if you will lessen the demands your father made of us and lighten the heavy workload he demanded from us, then we will serve you."
5 He answered them, "Come back in three days." So the people left.
6 King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon when he was alive. "What do you advise?" Rehoboam asked. "How should I respond to these people?"
7 "If you are kind to these people and try to please them by speaking gently with them," they replied, "they will be your servants forever."