2 Chronicles 10:6
And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people? And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?
Rehoboam consulted the older experienced men who had stood before Solomon his father while he lived, asking what answer he should return to the people concerning their request to lighten their burdens. The older counselors advised him to treat the people kindly, to please them, and to speak graciously and well to them. They assured him that such kindness would win their lasting loyalty and keep them as his servants forever.
Rehoboam rejected this kind counsel and followed instead the harsher counsel of the younger men. At Shechem he and his chosen counselors acted proudly, refusing the people's plea for reform. He chose to continue and even increase the oppressive policies of Solomon's reign, and this course helped bring about the division of the kingdom, as the prophet had foretold.