1 Kings 12:7-18

7They told him, “If you will serve these people today, humble yourself, and speak gently, then they will always be your servants.”

8But he ignored the advice the older leaders gave him. He sought advice from the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.

9He asked them, “What is your advice? How should we respond to these people who are asking me to lighten the burden my father put on them?”

10The young men who had grown up with him answered, “This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is heavier than my father’s whole body.

11If my father put a heavy burden on you, I will add to it. If my father punished you with whips, I will punish you with scorpions.’ ”

12So Jeroboam and all the people came back to Rehoboam two days later, as the king had instructed them.

13The king answered the people harshly. He ignored the advice the older leaders gave him.

14He spoke to them as the young men advised. He said, “If my father made your burden heavy, I will add to it. If my father punished you with whips, I will punish you with scorpions.”

15The king refused to listen to the people because the Lord was directing these events to carry out the promise he had made to Jeroboam (Nebat’s son) through Ahijah from Shiloh.

16When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, the people answered the king, “What share do we have in David’s kingdom? We won’t receive an inheritance from Jesse’s son. To your own tents, Israel! Now look after your own house, David!” So Israel went home to their own tents.

17But Rehoboam ruled the Israelites who lived in the cities of Judah.

18Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram to Israel. He was in charge of forced labor, but they stoned him to death. So King Rehoboam got on his chariot as fast as he could and fled to Jerusalem.