Rebellion against Rehoboam

(1 Kings 12:1-15)

1And Rehoboam goeth to Shechem, for [to] Shechem have all Israel come to cause him to reign. 2And it cometh to pass, at Jeroboam son of Nebat’s—who [is] in Egypt because he hath fled from the face of Solomon the king—hearing, that Jeroboam turneth back out of Egypt; 3and they send and call for him, and Jeroboam cometh in, and all Israel, and speak unto Rehoboam, saying, 4‘Thy father made our yoke sharp, and now, make light [somewhat ] of the sharp service of thy father, and of his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we serve thee.’ 5And he saith unto them, ‘Yet three days—then return ye unto me;’ and the people go.

6And 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?’ 7And 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.’ 8And 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, 9and he saith unto them, ‘What are ye counselling, and we answer this people that have spoken unto me, saying, Make light [somewhat] of the yoke that thy father put upon us?’ 10And 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 [somewhat] of our yoke; thus dost thou say unto them, My little finger is thicker than the loins of my father; 11and 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.’

12And 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.’ 13And the king answereth them sharply, and king Rehoboam forsaketh the counsel of the aged men, 14and 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.’ 15And 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.

The Kingdom Divided

(1 Kings 12:16-19)

16And all Israel have seen that the king hath not hearkened to them, and the people send back [to] 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.

17As to the sons of Israel who are dwelling in the cities of Judah—Rehoboam reigneth over them. 18And king Rehoboam sendeth Hadoram, who [is] 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; 19and Israel transgress against the house of David unto this day.