Solomon's son Rehoboam goes to Shechem to be made king. Rejecting the elders' advice, he threatens the people with heavier burdens, and the ten northern tribes break away under Jeroboam.
1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem : for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king .
2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat , who was in Egypt , whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king , heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt .
3 And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam , saying ,
4 Thy 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.
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, they will be thy servants for ever .
8 But 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.
9 And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people , which have spoken to me, saying , Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?
10 And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying , Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake 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 loins .
11 For 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 .
12 So 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 .
13 And the king answered them roughly ; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men ,
14 And 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 .
15 So the king hearkened not unto the people : for the cause was of God , that the LORD might perform his word , which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat .
16 And 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 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 .
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 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 .
19 And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day .