1 Kings 12:2–8

²And it happened, ^awhen Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it, ¹he was living in Egypt (for he was yet in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon).

³Then they sent and called for him. And Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,

⁴“^aYour father made our yoke harsh; but you, now, lighten the harsh service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.”

⁵Then he said to them, “^aGo ¹for three days, then return to me.” So the people went away.

⁶Then King Rehoboam ^atook counsel with the elders who had stood before his father Solomon while he was still alive, saying, “How do you counsel me to respond to this people?”

⁷And they spoke to him, saying, “^aIf you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them and ¹grant them their petition, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”

⁸But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had counseled him, and took counsel with the young men who grew up with him and stood before him.