The king responded to the people harshly. He<n id="1" /> rejected the advice of the older men

So the soldiers released the captives and the plunder before the officials and the entire assembly.

But Rehoboam rejected their advice and consulted the young advisers who served him, with whom he had grown up.<n id="1" />

God&#8217;s Spirit energized<n id="1" /> Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood up before the people and said to them, &#8220;This is what God says: &#8216;Why are you violating the commands of the <sc>Lordsc>? You will not be prosperous! Because you have rejected the <sc>Lordsc>, he has rejected you!&#8217;&#8221;