| 1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel were come to Shechem
to make him king. 2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat
heard of it, (for he was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of
king Solomon,) that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt. 3 And they sent and
called him; and Jeroboam and all Israel came, and they spake to Rehoboam,
saying, 4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the
grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us,
lighter, and we will serve thee. 5 And he said unto them, Come again unto
me after three days. And the people departed. 6 And king Rehoboam took
counsel with the old men, that had stood before Solomon his father while he
yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?
7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and
please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for
ever. 8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given
him, and took counsel with the young men that were grown up with him, that
stood before him. 9 And he said unto them, What counsel give ye, that we
may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the
yoke that thy father did put upon us lighter? 10 And the young men that
were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou say unto the
people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make
thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger is
thicker than my father's loins. 11 And now whereas my father did lade you
with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with
whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 12 So Jeroboam and
all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come
to me again the third day. 13 And the king answered them roughly; and king
Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, 14 and spake to them after
the counsel 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. 15 So the king hearkened not unto the people; for
it was brought about of God, that Jehovah might establish his word, which he
spake by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 16 And when
all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the
king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in
the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own
house, David. So all Israel departed unto their tents. 17 But as for the
children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over
them. 18 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the men subject to
taskwork; and the children of Israel stoned him to death with stones. And
king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
Genesis - Public
Domain
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