2 Chronicles 10
1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem, —for, to Shechem, had all Israel come, to make him king.
Now Rehoboam set out for Shechem. For in that place all of Israel had convened, so that they might appoint him as king.
2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam son of Nebat, who was in Egypt-whither he had fled from the face of Solomon the king—heard of it, then returned Jeroboam out of Egypt.
But when Jeroboam, the son of Nabat, who was in Egypt, (indeed he had fled to that place from Solomon) had heard it, he promptly returned.
3 And they sent, and called him, so Jeroboam and all Israel came, —and spake unto Rehoboam, saying:
And they summoned him, and he arrived with all of Israel. And they spoke to Rehoboam, saying:
4 Thy father, made our yoke oppressive, —now, therefore, lighten thou somewhat the oppressive servitude of thy father and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, and we will serve thee.
“Your father pressed upon us a very difficult yoke. You should govern us more lightly than your father, who imposed on us a heavy servitude, and so lift up some of the burden, so that we may serve you.”
5 And he said unto them, Yet three days, and then return unto me, —and the people departed.
But he said, “Return to me after three days.” And when the people had gone away,
6 Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men who had been standing before Solomon his father, while he yet lived, saying, —How do, ye, counsel to return answer unto this people?
he took counsel with the elders, who had stood before his father Solomon while he was still living, saying, “What counsel would you give to me, so that I may respond to the people?”
7 And they spake unto him saying, If thou wilt be kind to this people, and please them, and speak unto them kind words, then will they be thy servants, all the days.
And they said to him, “If you please this people, and if you soothe them with words of clemency, they will be your servants for all days.”
8 But he declined the counsel of the old men, which they gave him, —and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who were standing before him.
But he set aside the counsel of the elders, and he began to have discussion with the youth, who had been raised with him and who were among his companions.
9 And he said unto them, What do, ye, counsel that we should return as answer, unto this people, —who have spoken unto me saying, Lighten thou somewhat the yoke, which thy father put upon us?
And he said to them: “How does it seem to you? Or how should I respond to this people, who have said to me, ‘Lift up the yoke that your father imposed upon us?’”
10 Then spake with him the young men who had grown up with him, saying, Thus, shalt thou speak unto the people who have spoken unto thee saying, Thy father, made our yoke heavy, Thou, therefore, lighten somewhat our yoke, —Thus, shalt thou say unto them, My little finger, is thicker than my father’s loins;
But they responded like youths, having been raised with him in luxury, and they said: “So shall you speak to the people, who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy; you should lighten it,’ and so shall you respond to them: ‘My little finger is thicker than the back of my father.
11 Now, therefore, my father, laid upon you a heavy yoke, but, I, will add to your yoke, —My father, chastised you with whips, but, I, with scorpions,
My father imposed a heavy yoke upon you, and I will place more weight upon it. My father cut you with whips; truly, I will beat you with scorpions.’”
12 So Jeroboam and all the people came unto Rehoboam, on the third day, —as the king spake, saying, Return unto me on the third day.
Then Jeroboam, and the entire people, went to Rehoboam on the third day, just as he had instructed them.
13 And the king answered them harshly, —and King Rehoboam declined the counsel of the old men;
And the king responded harshly, abandoning the counsel of the elders.
14 and spake unto them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, My father, made your yoke heavy, but, I, will add thereunto, —My father, chastised you with whips, But, I, with scorpions.
And he spoke according to the will of the youths: “My father imposed a heavy yoke upon you, which I will make heavier. My father cut you with whips; truly, I will beat you with scorpions.”
15 So the king hearkened not unto the people, —for there had come to be a turn from God, to the end Yahweh might establish his word which he had spoken by means of Ahijah the Shilonite, unto Jeroboam, son of Nebat.
And he did not acquiesce to the pleadings of the people. For it was the will of God that his word be fulfilled, which he had spoken by the hand of Ahijah, the Shilonite, to Jeroboam, the son of Nabat.
16 And, when, all Israel, [saw] that the king hearkened not 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 homes, O Israel! Now, see to thine own house, O David! And all Israel departed to their homes.
Then the entire people, speaking more harshly to the king, spoke to him in this way: “There is no portion for us in David, and there is no inheritance in the son of Jesse. Return to your dwellings, O Israel. Then you, O David, shall pasture your own house.” And Israel went away to their dwellings.
17 But, as for the sons of Israel who were dwelling in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
But Rehoboam reigned over the sons of Israel who were living in the cities of Judah.
18 Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the tribute, and the sons of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. So, King Rehoboam, hasted to mount his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
And king Rehoboam sent Aduram, who was in charge of the tributes. And the sons of Israel stoned him, and he died. And so king Rehoboam hurried to climb into the chariot, and he fled to Jerusalem.
19 Thus Israel rebelled against the house of David—unto this day.
And Israel withdrew from the house of David, even to this day.
