4. “Your father forced us to work very hard. Now, make it easier for us. Don’t make us work as hard as your father did. Then we will serve you.”
5. Rehoboam answered, “Come back to me in three days. Then I will answer you.” So the people left.
6. Some of the elders had helped Solomon make decisions during his lifetime. So King Rehoboam asked them what he should do. He said, “How do you think I should answer these people?”
7. They answered, “You should be like a servant to them today. Serve them, and give them a kind answer. If you do, they will serve you always.”