How does 1 Kings 12:9 illustrate the importance of seeking godly counsel today? Setting the scene 1 Kings 12:9: “So he asked them, ‘What advice do you give? How should we answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, “Lighten the yoke your father put on us”?’ ” Rehoboam is on the throne, the nation is anxious, and a single decision will steer Israel toward unity or division. He seeks advice—but the source of that advice proves decisive. What went wrong • Rehoboam consulted both elder statesmen and his own peers, yet he chose to follow the latter’s harsher counsel. • He valued familiarity over faithfulness, popularity over proven wisdom. • The outcome—national schism (vv. 16-19)—reveals how ungodly counsel can fracture families, churches, even nations. Timeless lessons for today • Advice is everywhere; godly counsel is rare and precious (Proverbs 20:18; 27:9). • The character of the counselor matters as much as the content of the counsel. • Failure to heed seasoned, Scripture-saturated voices invites avoidable pain. Marks of godly counsel • Rooted in Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17) • Confirmed by a pattern of obedience in the counselor’s own life (Hebrews 13:7) • Centered on humility, service, and love—never self-promotion (Philippians 2:3-4) • Produces peace and purity rather than strife (James 3:17) Corroborating Scriptures • Proverbs 11:14—“For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors there is deliverance.” • Psalm 1:1—Blessing comes to the one who avoids the counsel of the wicked. • Proverbs 15:22—“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” • 2 Chronicles 10:8 (parallel to 1 Kings 12)—underscores Rehoboam’s deliberate rejection of elder counsel. Practical takeaways • Seek out mentors who have walked with Christ longer than you have. • Test every piece of advice against the plain teaching of Scripture. • Invite accountability; wise voices can see blind spots you cannot. • Pray for discernment, then obey promptly when counsel aligns with God’s Word. Closing thought Rehoboam’s story reminds us that the counsel we choose today shapes the legacies we leave tomorrow. Choosing voices anchored in God’s Word safeguards us—and those we influence—from needless heartache. |
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