1 Kings 12:8
New International Version
But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.

New Living Translation
But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers.

English Standard Version
But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him.

Berean Standard Bible
But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him.

King James Bible
But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:

New King James Version
But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.

New American Standard Bible
But he ignored the advice of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who had grown up with him and served him.

NASB 1995
But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him.

NASB 1977
But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him.

Legacy Standard Bible
But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had counseled him, and took counsel with the young men who grew up with him and stood before him.

Amplified Bible
But he ignored the advice which the elders gave him and consulted the young men who grew up with him and served him.

Christian Standard Bible
But he rejected the advice of the elders who had advised him and consulted with the young men who had grown up with him and attended him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But he rejected the advice of the elders who had advised him and consulted with the young men who had grown up with him and served him.

American Standard Version
But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men that were grown up with him, that stood before him.

Contemporary English Version
But Rehoboam refused their advice and went to the younger men who had grown up with him and were now his officials.

English Revised Version
But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men that were grown up with him, that stood before him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But he ignored the advice the older leaders gave him. He sought advice from the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.

Good News Translation
But he ignored the advice of the older men and went instead to the young men who had grown up with him and who were now his advisers.

International Standard Version
But Rehoboam ignored the counsel that his elder advisors had given him. Instead, he consulted the younger men who had grown up with him and who worked for him.

Majority Standard Bible
But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him.

NET Bible
But Rehoboam rejected their advice and consulted the young advisers who served him, with whom he had grown up.

New Heart English Bible
But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.

Webster's Bible Translation
But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that had grown up with him, and who stood before him:

World English Bible
But he abandoned the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he forsakes the counsel of the elderly which they counseled him, and consults with the boys who have grown up with him, who are standing before him;

Young's Literal Translation
And he forsaketh the counsel of the elders which they counselled him, and consulteth with the lads who have grown up with him, who are standing before him;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will forsake the counsel of the old men which they counseled him, and he will consult with the children which grew up with him which were standing before him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But he left the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men, that had been brought up with him, and stood before him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But he abandoned the counsel of the old men, which they had given to him. And he consulted the young men who had been raised with him, and who were assisting him.

New American Bible
But he ignored the advice the elders had given him, and asked advice of the young men who had grown up with him and were in his service.

New Revised Standard Version
But he disregarded the advice that the older men gave him, and consulted with the young men who had grown up with him and now attended him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But he forsook the counsel which the old men had given him and consulted with the young men who were grown up with him and who stood before him;And the prophet of God said to him, If you give me half your house, I will not go home with you, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he abandoned the counsel of the Elders which they advised him and he took counsel with the boys who grew up with him who stood before him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men that were grown up with him, that stood before him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they gave him, and consulted with the young men who were brought up with him, who stood in his presence.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rebellion Against Rehoboam
7They replied, “If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.” 8But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him. 9He asked them, “What message do you advise that we send back to these people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”…

Cross References
Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.

Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

Proverbs 11:14
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.

Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 14:16
A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.

Proverbs 29:1
A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.

2 Chronicles 10:8
But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him.

2 Chronicles 10:13-14
And the king answered them harshly. King Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders / and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.”

Job 12:12
Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.

Ecclesiastes 7:5
It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.

Isaiah 5:21
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

Matthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Matthew 23:24
You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.


Treasury of Scripture

But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:

2 Chronicles 10:8
But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.

2 Chronicles 25:15,16
Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand? …

Proverbs 1:2-5,25,30
To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; …

Jump to Previous
Advice Attention Consulted Consulteth Counsel Counselled Elders Forsaketh Forsook Generation Grew Grown Lads Opinion Rehoboam Rejected Served Standing Stood Waiting Young
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Advice Attention Consulted Consulteth Counsel Counselled Elders Forsaketh Forsook Generation Grew Grown Lads Opinion Rehoboam Rejected Served Standing Stood Waiting Young
1 Kings 12
1. The Israelites, assembled at Shechem to crown Rehoboam,
4. by Jeroboam make a suit of relaxation unto him
6. Rehoboam, refusing the old men's counsel, answers them roughly
16. Ten tribes revolting, kill Adoram, and make Rehoboam flee
21. Rehoboam, raising an army, is forbidden by Shemaiah
25. Jeroboam strengthens himself by cities
26. and by idolatry of the two calves














But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders;
Rehoboam's rejection of the elders' advice marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history. The elders were likely experienced advisors who had served under Solomon, Rehoboam's father. Their counsel was rooted in wisdom and experience, reflecting the biblical principle found in Proverbs 11:14, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." This decision to reject their advice demonstrates a lack of humility and discernment, qualities that are essential for godly leadership. Historically, this rejection led to the division of the united kingdom of Israel, fulfilling the prophecy given to Jeroboam by the prophet Ahijah in 1 Kings 11:29-31.

instead, he consulted the young men
Rehoboam's choice to consult the young men highlights a generational divide and a preference for peers over seasoned wisdom. These young men, likely his contemporaries, lacked the experience and insight necessary for such a critical decision. This reflects a broader biblical theme where youthful arrogance and inexperience can lead to folly, as seen in Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." The cultural context of the time placed great value on the wisdom of elders, making Rehoboam's decision even more striking and countercultural.

who had grown up with him
The phrase indicates that these young men shared Rehoboam's upbringing and social environment, suggesting they were influenced by the same royal court culture. This shared background may have led to a narrow perspective, lacking the broader understanding necessary for effective governance. The influence of one's upbringing and peers is a recurring biblical theme, as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:33, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.'" This choice reflects a failure to seek diverse counsel, which is often necessary for balanced decision-making.

and served him.
The young men who served Rehoboam were likely part of his inner circle, possibly holding positions of influence due to their proximity to the king. Their service to him might have been more about personal loyalty than objective counsel. This situation underscores the danger of surrounding oneself with advisors who prioritize personal allegiance over truth and wisdom. In contrast, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate King, surrounded Himself with disciples who were often challenged and corrected, demonstrating the value of truth over mere loyalty. This serves as a type of Christ's perfect leadership, which is characterized by wisdom, humility, and a willingness to listen to diverse voices.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Rehoboam
The son of Solomon and king of Judah, whose decision-making is central to this passage.

2. Elders
Experienced advisors who served under Solomon and offered wise counsel to Rehoboam.

3. Young Men
Rehoboam's contemporaries who grew up with him and provided advice contrary to that of the elders.

4. Israel
The united kingdom under Solomon, which faced division due to Rehoboam's decisions.

5. Shechem
The place where Rehoboam went to be crowned king and where the events of this chapter unfold.
Teaching Points
The Value of Wise Counsel
Rehoboam's rejection of the elders' advice serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of seeking and valuing experienced and godly counsel.

The Danger of Peer Pressure
The influence of Rehoboam's peers highlights the potential pitfalls of succumbing to peer pressure, especially when it contradicts wise and godly advice.

Consequences of Poor Leadership Decisions
Rehoboam's decision led to the division of the kingdom, illustrating how poor leadership can have far-reaching and devastating consequences.

Seeking God's Wisdom
Believers are encouraged to seek God's wisdom in decision-making, as human wisdom alone can be flawed and misleading.

The Role of Humility in Leadership
Rehoboam's account underscores the need for humility in leadership, recognizing that leaders do not have all the answers and should be open to counsel.Verse 8. - But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given [Heb. counselled] him ["We can easily imagine that their proposal was not very agreeable to the rash and imperious young king, in whose veins Ammonite blood flowed" (Bahr) ], and consulted with the young men [see on ver. 1. "The very change argues weakness.. Green wood is ever shrinking" (Hall)] that were grown up with him [possibly his companions in the harem], and which stood before him [i.e., as his courtiers and counsellors (cf. ver. 6). The old men were the counsellors of Solomon; the young men alone are spoken of as the ministers of Rehoboam.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But [Rehoboam] rejected
וַֽיַּעֲזֹ֛ב (way·ya·‘ă·zōḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

the advice
עֲצַ֥ת (‘ă·ṣaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence

of the elders;
הַזְּקֵנִ֖ים (haz·zə·qê·nîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2205: Old

instead, he consulted
וַיִּוָּעַ֗ץ (way·yiw·wā·‘aṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve

the young men
הַיְלָדִים֙ (hay·lā·ḏîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3206: Something born, a lad, offspring

who
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

had grown up
גָּדְל֣וּ (gā·ḏə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great

with him
אִתּ֔וֹ (’it·tōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

and served
הָעֹמְדִ֖ים (hā·‘ō·mə·ḏîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

him.
לְפָנָֽיו׃ (lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face


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OT History: 1 Kings 12:8 But he forsook the counsel (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 12:7
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