2 Chronicles 10:6-14

6King Rehoboam sought advice from the older leaders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive. He asked, “What do you advise? How should I respond to these people?”

7They told him, “If you are good to these people and try to please them by speaking gently to them, 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 them harshly. He ignored the older leaders’ advice.

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 use scorpions.”