The young advisers with whom Rehoboam<n id="1" /> had grown up said to him, &#8220;Say this to these people who have said to you, &#8216;Your father made us work hard, but now lighten our burden.&#8217;<n id="2" /> Say this to them: &#8216;I am a lot harsher than my father!<n id="3" />

and followed<n id="1" /> the advice of the younger ones. He said, &#8220;My father imposed heavy demands on you; I will make them even heavier.<n id="2" /> My father punished you with ordinary whips; I will punish you with whips that really sting your flesh.&#8221;<n id="3" />