2 Jer o boam (Nebat’s son) was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon. When he heard ⌊about Rehoboam⌋, he returned from Egypt.
3 ⌊Israel⌋ sent for Jer o boam and invited him back. Jer o boam and all Israel went to speak to Rehoboam. They said,
4 “Your father made us carry a heavy burden. Reduce the hard work and lighten the heavy burden he put on us, and we will serve you.”
5 He said to them, “Come back the day after tomorrow.” So the people left.
6 King Rehoboam sought advice from the older leaders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive. He asked, “What do you advise? How should I respond to these people?”
7 They told him, “If you are good to these people and try to please them by speaking gently to them, then they will always be your servants.”
8 But he ignored the advice the older leaders gave him. He sought advice from the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.