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

Then Rehoboam went to Shechem. All Israel had come 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.

When Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard about it, he returned from Egypt. For Jeroboam had run to Egypt to get away from King Solomon.

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. Jeroboam and all Israel came to Rehoboam and said,

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 gave us a heavy load to carry. So now make our work easier than your father made us work. Do not let our load be as heavy as the one he put on us. And we will work for you.”

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

Rehoboam said to them, “Come to me again in three days.” So the people left.

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?

Then King Rehoboam spoke with the leaders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive. He said, “Tell me, how do you think I should answer these 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.

They said to him, “If you will be kind to these 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 Rehoboam would not listen to the wise words of the leaders. He spoke with the young men who grew up with him and served 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?

He said to them, “Tell me, how do you think I should answer these people who have said to me, ‘Do not let our load be as heavy as the one your father put on us’?”

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 grew up with him said to him, “Say this to the people who said to you, ‘Your father made our load heavy, but you make it easier for us.’ Tell them, ‘My little finger is bigger around than my father’s body!

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.

My father gave you a heavy load. I will add to your load. My father punished you with whips. But I will punish 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.

So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king had told them, saying, “Return to me on the third day.”

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

The king answered them with strong words. King Rehoboam did not listen to the wise words of the leaders.

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.

Instead he listened to the words of the young men. And he said to them, “My father made your load heavy, but I will add to it. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish 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 listen to the people. God made this happen so that He might make His Word come true which He spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the 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.

All Israel saw that the king did not listen to them. So the people said to the king, “What share do we have in David? We have no share in the son of Jesse. Every man to your tents, O Israel! Now look to your own house, David!” So all Israel left and went to their tents.

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

But Rehoboam ruled over the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah.

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, the man who made the people work. But the people of Israel killed him with stones. So King Rehoboam got on his war-wagon in a hurry, to go to Jerusalem.

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

Israel has been against the family of David to this day.