1 Kings 12:1–7

King Rehoboam Acts Foolishly

1 aThen Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to bShechem to make him king.

2 Now 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).

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

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

5 Then he said to them, “aDepart 1for three days, then return to me.” So the people departed.

6 King Rehoboam aconsulted with the elders who had 1served his father Solomon while he was still alive, saying, “How do you counsel me to answer this people?”

7 Then 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.”