But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. – 1 Kings 12:8
Rehoboam became king after his father, Solomon. | WATCH ON YOUTUBE
Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, was assumed to be the next king. This was a logical continuation of the Davidic dynasty. But interestingly, Rehoboam was the only son of Solomon that we know by name. Solomon had 1,000 wives and concubines, yet we read of one son he had to bear up his name, and he was a fool.
Solomon was a great king, but he took a lot from the people. The people of Israel wanted relief from the heavy taxation and forced service of Solomon’s reign. They approached Rehoboam and offered their allegiance if he agreed to this.
Wisely, Rehoboam asked the counsel of the older, experienced men. They seemed to advise Solomon well. The elders knew that Rehoboam could not expect the same loyalty from the people that Solomon had. Rehoboam had to relate to the people based on who he was, not on who his father was. If he showed kindness and a servant’s heart to the people, they would love and serve him forever. This was good advice. But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders and chose to go by the wicked counsel of the younger men.
Advice shopping is a familiar, but unwise practice. Here you keep asking different people for advice until you find someone who will tell you what your itching ears want to hear. It is wise to have a few trusted counsellors who honestly tell you even what you don’t want to hear.
Do you have godly people in your life who give you wise counsel?
Lord, give me a humble heart to accept counsel that is difficult, I pray.
Extended Reading — 1 Kings 12-14
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