2 Chronicles
10:1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to
make him king.
10:2 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.
10:3 And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake
to Rehoboam, saying,
10:4 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.
10:5 And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the
people departed.
10:6 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?
10:7 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.
10:8 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.
10:9 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?
10:10 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.
10:11 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.
10:12 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.
10:13 And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the
counsel of the old men,
10:14 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.
10:15 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.
10:16 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.
10:17 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah,
Rehoboam reigned over them.
10:18 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.
10:19 And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
