2 Chronicles 10:1-11 ▼

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

2 And it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was in Egypt where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon), Jeroboam returned from Egypt.

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

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

5 Then he said to them, “Return to me again in three days.” So the people went away.

6 Then King Rehoboam took 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?”

7 And they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be good to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”

8 But 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.

9 So he said to them, “What counsel do you give that we may respond to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”

10 Then the young men who grew up with him spoke with him, saying, “Thus you shall say to the people who spoke to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter for us.’ Thus you shall say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins!

11 So now my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’”