The Revolt Against Rehoboam
1And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.
2And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.
3And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,
4Your father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease you somewhat the grievous servitude of your father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve you.
5And he said to them, Come again to me after three days. And the people departed.
6And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give youp me to return answer to this people? served
7And they spoke to him, saying, If you be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be your servants for ever.
8But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him. abandoned
9And he said to them, What advice give youp that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that your father did put upon us?
10And the young men that were brought up with him spoke to him, saying, Thus shall you answer the people that spoke to you, saying, Your father made our yoke heavy, but make you it somewhat lighter for us; thus shall you say to them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins. waist
11For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon youp, I will put more to yourp yoke: my father chastised youp with whips, but I will chastise youp with scorpions. whips with sharp tips
12So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bid, saying, Come again to me on the third day. directed
13And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,
14And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made yourp yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised youp with whips, but I will chastise youp with scorpions.
15So the king hearkened not to the people: for the cause was of God, that the Lord might perform His word, which He spoke by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. listened
16And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken to them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to yourp tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to your own house. So all Israel went to their tents. homes
17But as for the children of Israel that dwelled in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
18Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. forced labor; hurried
19And Israel rebelled against the house of David to this day.
