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 {whither} 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, 4Thy father made our yoke grievous; now, therefore, ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee. 5And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.

6And King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men who had stood before Solomon, his father, while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people? 7And they spoke unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants forever. 8But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men who were brought up with him, who stood before him. 9And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us? 10And the young men who were brought up with him spoke unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people who spoke unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's thighs {loins}. 11For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

12So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day. 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 your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 15So the king hearkened not unto 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. 16And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? And we have no {none} inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to your tents, O Israel! And now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents. 17But as for the children of Israel who dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

18Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the forced labor {tribute}; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, so that he died. But King Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. 19And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.