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he took counsel with [the] eld men, that stood before his father Solomon, while he lived yet (he took counsel with the old men, or the elders, who stood before his father Solomon, while yet he lived), and said, What counsel give ye, that I answer to the people?

And they said to him, If thou pleasest this people, and makest them soft, or quietest them, by meek words, they shall serve thee in all time. (And they said to him, If thou pleasest this people, and quietest them, with humble words, they shall loyally serve thee always.)

And he forsook the counsel of the eld men, and began to treat (this in thought) with (the) young men, that were nourished with him, and were in his company. (But he forsook the counsel of the old men, that is, the elders, and began to discuss this with the young men, who grew up with him, and were his friends.)

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Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders(A) who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How would you advise me to answer these people?” he asked.

They replied, “If you will be kind to these people and please them and give them a favorable answer,(B) they will always be your servants.”

But Rehoboam rejected(C) the advice the elders(D) gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.

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