2 Chronicles Chapter 10
The Northern Tribes Revolt
1 Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, because Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. 2 When Jeroboam heard about it, he came back. (He was in Egypt where he’d fled from Solomon.) 3 They sent for him. When Jeroboam and all Israel came, they said to Rehoboam, 4 “Your father made our yoke heavy. Lighten his hard service and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we’ll serve you.”
5 “Come back in three days.”
The people left.
6 He consulted the elders that had served his father Solomon, “How do you advise me to answer the people?”
7 “If you’ll be kind to them, please them, and speak good words to them, they’ll serve you permanently.”
8 But he disregarded their advice and consulted the young men he grew up with and served him. 9 He asked them, “What’s your advice?”
10 “Tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s thighs! 11 He loaded you with a heavy yoke; I’ll make it heavier. He disciplined you with whips; I’ll discipline you with scorpions.’” 2 Ch 10:1-11
12 Jeroboam and the people came to Rehoboam on the third day like he’d directed them. 13 The king answered them harshly and didn’t take the elders’ advice. 14 “My father made your yoke heavy; I’ll make it heavier. My father disciplined you with whips; I’ll discipline you with scorpions.” 15 He didn’t listen to the people, a turn of events Yahveh allowed with the result that he would bring about his message through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam.
16 When Israel saw that the king didn’t listen to them, they answered,
“What part do we have with David?
What inheritance do we have in Jesse’s son?
Everybody, go home, Israel!
Look after your own house, David!”
Israel left and went home. 17 But Rehoboam ruled the Israelites in the towns in Judah. 18 He sent Hadoram, who oversaw forced labor, and the Israelites stoned him to death. King Rehoboam hurried and got in his chariot and fled to Jerusalem. 19 Israel has been in rebellion against David’s dynasty ever since. 2 Ch 10:12-19