1 ¶ And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come together in Shechem to make him king.

Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king.

2 A nd when Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, heard it, who was in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of Solomon, the king, Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.

Jeroboam the son of Nebat was in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon, when he heard about the new king; so Jeroboam returned from Egypt.

3 A nd they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,

And the people sent for him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came to Rehoboam, saying,

4 T hy 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.

Your father made our yoke grievous. So now make lighter the grievous service of your father and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve you.

5 A nd he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.

Rehoboam replied, Come again to me after three days. And the people departed.

6 T hen King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon, his father, while he yet lived, saying, What do you counsel to reply to this people?

King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men who stood before Solomon his father while he was alive, saying, What counsel do you give me in reply to the people?

7 A nd they spoke unto him, saying, If thou wilt seek the good of this people and please them and speak good words to them, they will be thy slaves for ever.

And they answered him, If you are kind to people and please them and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever.

8 B ut 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.

But the king forsook the counsel which the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who were brought up with him and stood before him.

9 A nd he said unto them, What do you counsel us to reply to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?

And he said to them, What answer do you advise that we give to the demand of people, Make the yoke your father put upon us lighter?

10 T hen the young men that were brought up with him spoke unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spoke unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins.

The young men who were brought up with him said to him, Tell the people who said to you, Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter: My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins.

11 F or whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, 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 on the third day, as the king had commanded, saying, Come again to me on the third day.

The third day Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam as he had said.

13 A nd the king answered them roughly, for King Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men

And the king answered them harshly, forsaking the counsel of the old men,

14 a nd answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

15 S o the king did not hearken 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, unto Jeroboam, the son of Nebat.

So the king did not heed the people, for it was brought about of God, that the Lord might perform His word which He spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.

16 A nd when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David or inheritance in the son of Jesse? Every man to your tents, O Israel! Now, David, see to thine own house! So all Israel went to their tents.

And when all Israel saw that the king would not listen to and heed them, they answered, What portion have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to your tents, O Israel! Now, David, see to your own house! So all Israel went to their homes.

17 B ut Rehoboam reigned over the sons of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah.

But as for the Israelites who dwelt in Judah’s cities, Rehoboam ruled over them.

18 T hen King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the tribute and the sons of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. So King Rehoboam made speed to get into a chariot and fled to Jerusalem.

Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the forced labor, and the Israelites stoned him and he died. But King Rehoboam hastened to get up to his royal chariot to flee to Jerusalem.

19 T hus Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

And Israel has rebelled against the house of David to this day.