The tribes had long suffered grievous wrongs under the oppressive measures of their former ruler. The extravagance of Solomon's reign during his apostasy had led him 89 to tax the people heavily and to require of them much menial service. Before going forward with the coronation of a new ruler, the leading men from among the tribes determined to ascertain whether or not it was the purpose of Solomon's son to lessen these burdens. "So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee."

Israels stammer havde længe lidt grov uret på grund af deres tidligere konges overgreb. Salomons ødselhed under frafaldet tvang ham til at pålægge folket tunge skatter, ligesom de måtte udføre meget trællearbejde for ham. Inden den nye konge blev kronet, besluttede stammernes ledende mænd at skaffe sig oplysning om, hvorvidt Salomons søn agtede at befri folket for disse byrder. "Da sagde hele Israel til Rehabeam: "Din fader lagde et hårdt åg på os, men let du nu det hårde arbejde for os, som din fader krævede, og det tunge åg, han lagde på os, så vil vi tjene dig!"