What can we learn from Rehoboam's response about seeking wise counsel? The Setting: A King at a Crossroads • Solomon has died, Rehoboam now sits on the throne. • Israel gathers at Shechem to ask relief from heavy labor. • 1 Kings 12:12 records the return of the delegation: “Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam.” • Behind the scene stands God’s promise that the kingdom would split because of Solomon’s idolatry (1 Kings 11:11–13). Two Voices, Two Very Different Roads • Elders who served Solomon: lighten the load, win the people’s hearts. • Young peers who grew up with Rehoboam: increase the burden, assert power. • Rehoboam embraces the second advice and replies harshly (vv. 13–14), sparking revolt. • The northern tribes depart; only Judah remains under the house of David. Lesson One: Choose Counselors Who Fear the Lord • Elders carried decades of walking with the king and seeing God’s blessing on wisdom (1 Kings 3:9–12). • Proverbs 13:20: “He who walks with the wise grows wise.” • Surrounding ourselves with mature believers safeguards from impulsive choices. Lesson Two: Popularity Cannot Replace Prudence • The king listened to friends who echoed his pride, not truth. • Proverbs 14:12 warns of “a way that seems right… but its end is death.” • Wise counsel may sound less exciting, yet it preserves life and testimony. Lesson Three: Humility Opens Ears • The elders’ advice began with servanthood: “be a servant to these people” (v. 7). • James 1:19 calls believers to be “quick to listen, slow to speak.” • Leadership that stoops to serve reflects the heart of Christ (Mark 10:45). Lesson Four: Ignoring Wisdom Bears Bitter Fruit • Immediate result: national division, centuries of conflict. • Long-term result: both kingdoms eventually exiled, fulfilling Deuteronomy 28. • Galatians 6:7 reminds that “God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” Lesson Five: The Ultimate Counselor We Need • Isaiah 9:6 titles Messiah “Wonderful Counselor.” • Unlike Rehoboam, Jesus listens perfectly to the Father (John 5:30) and invites the weary to find rest (Matthew 11:28–30). • By seeking Him first in prayer and Scripture, believers gain wisdom surpassing human counsel (Colossians 2:3). Practical Takeaways for Today • Cultivate relationships with seasoned, godly mentors. • Test advice against Scripture, not against personal preference. • Embrace servant-leadership; authority grows through humility. • Remember that decisions ripple far beyond the moment—seek the Lord before acting. |
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