1 A nd Rehoboam goeth to Shechem, for Shechem have all Israel come to cause him to reign.

Then Rehoboam went to Shechem. All Israel had come to Shechem to make him king.

2 A nd it cometh to pass, at Jeroboam son of Nebat's -- who in Egypt because he hath fled from the face of Solomon the king -- hearing, that Jeroboam turneth back 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 send and call for him, and Jeroboam cometh in, and all Israel, and speak unto Rehoboam, saying,

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

4 ` Thy father made our yoke sharp, and now, make light of the sharp service of thy father, and of his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we 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 saith unto them, `Yet three days -- then return ye unto me;' and the people go.

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

6 A nd king Rehoboam consulteth with the aged men who have been standing before Solomon his father in his being alive, saying, `How are ye counselling to answer 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 speak unto him, saying, `If thou dost become good to this people, and hast been pleased with them, and spoken unto them good words, then they have been to thee servants all the days.'

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 A nd he forsaketh the counsel of the aged men that they counselled him, and consulteth with the lads who have grown up with him, those standing 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 saith unto them, `What are ye counselling, and we answer this people that have spoken unto me, saying, Make light of the yoke that thy father 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 A nd the lads who have grown up with him, speak with him, saying, `Thus dost thou say to the people who have spoken unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, and thou, make light of our yoke; thus dost thou say unto them, My little finger is thicker than the loins of my father;

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 a nd now, my father laid on you a heavy yoke, and I -- I add unto your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, and I -- 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 A nd Jeroboam cometh in, and all the people, unto Rehoboam on the third day, as the king spake, saying, `Return unto 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 answereth them sharply, and king Rehoboam forsaketh the counsel of the aged men,

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

14 a nd speaketh unto them according to the counsel of the lads, saying, `My father made your yoke heavy, and I -- I add unto it; my father chastised you with whips, and I -- 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 A nd the king hath not hearkened unto the people, for the revolution hath been from God, for the sake of Jehovah's establishing His word that He spake by the hand of Abijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam 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 all Israel have seen that the king hath not hearkened to them, and the people send back the king, saying, `What portion have we in David? yea, there is no inheritance in a son of Jesse; each to thy tents, O Israel; now, see thy house -- David,' and all Israel go 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 A s to the sons of Israel who are dwelling in the cities of Judah -- Rehoboam reigneth over them.

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

18 A nd king Rehoboam sendeth Hadoram, who over the tribute, and the sons of Israel cast at him stones, and he dieth; and king Rehoboam hath strengthened himself to go up into a chariot to flee 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 a nd Israel transgress against the house of David unto this day.

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