1 Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all the people of northern Israel had gathered to make him king.
2 When Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had gone to Egypt to escape from King Solomon, heard this news, he returned home.
3 The people of the northern tribes sent for him, and they all went together to Rehoboam and said to him,
4 “Your father placed heavy burdens on us. If you make these burdens lighter and make life easier for us, we will be your loyal subjects.”
5 Rehoboam replied, “Give me three days to consider the matter. Then come back.” So the people left.
6 King Rehoboam consulted the older men who had served as his father Solomon's advisers. “What answer do you advise me to give these people?” he asked.
7 They replied, “If you are kind to these people and try to please them by giving a considerate answer, they will always serve you loyally.”