1 Kings 12:1-7 ▼

1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king.

2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam son of Nebat heard it, he was still in Egypt—for he had fled from the presence of King Solomon, and Jeroboam had been dwelling in Egypt—

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

4 “Your father made heavy our yoke, and you now, lighten the burdensome service of your father and his heavy yoke that he put on us—and we will serve you.”

5 And he said to them, “Depart yet for three days, and come back to me.” And the people departed.

6 And King Rehoboam counseled with the elders who had been standing before Solomon his father while he still lived, and he said, “How do you⁺ counsel me to return an answer to this people?”

7 And they spoke to him, saying, “If today you will be a servant to this people, and serve them and answer them, and speak to them good words, then they will be servants to you all the days.”