³The 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.”

⁵Rehoboam replied, “Give me three days to consider the matter. Then come back.” So the people left.

⁶King 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.

⁷They replied, “If you are kind to these people and try to please them by giving a considerate answer, they will always serve you loyally.”

⁸But he ignored the advice of the older men and went instead to the young men who had grown up with him and who were now his advisers. ⁹“What do you advise me to do?” he asked. “What shall I say to the people who are asking me to make their burdens lighter?”

¹⁰They replied, “This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist.’ ¹¹Tell them, ‘My father placed heavy burdens on you; I will make them even heavier. He beat you with a whip; I’ll flog you with a horsewhip!’ ”

Read in Logos