Speak to all the men of Sichem: Whether is better for you that seventy men all the sons of Jerobaal should rule over you, or that one man should rule over you? And withal consider that I am your bone, and your flesh.
Therefore all the men of Israel running together to the king, said to him: Why have our brethren the men of Juda stolen thee away, and have brought the king and his household over the Jordan, and all the men of David with him?
And all the men of Juda answered the men of Israel: Because the king is nearer to me. Why art thou angry for this matter? Have we eaten any thing of the king's, or have any gifts been given us?