How does Proverbs 15:22 relate to Rehoboam's actions in 1 Kings 12:14? The Wisdom Principle in Proverbs 15:22 • “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22) • God sets a universal pattern: seeking abundant, godly counsel safeguards decisions and promotes success. • The verse assumes (1) humility to listen, (2) plurality of voices, and (3) dependence on wisdom that aligns with God’s revealed will (cf. Proverbs 11:14; 24:6). Rehoboam’s Critical Moment 1 Kings 12 records Solomon’s son facing his first royal crisis: the northern tribes plead for lighter burdens. Two advisory groups speak: • Elders who had served Solomon urge mercy and servant–leadership (1 Kings 12:6–7). • Rehoboam’s peers—the young men—advise harshness and greater demands (1 Kings 12:8–11). Rehoboam’s response: • “He spoke to them as the young men had advised…” (1 Kings 12:14). • He dismisses the elders, ignoring the “many advisors” principle of Proverbs 15:22 and choosing counselors who mirrored his own pride. Point-by-Point Connection • Proverbs: success is tied to plural, seasoned counsel. • Rehoboam: narrows counsel to one echo chamber, forfeiting the promised success. • Proverbs: lack of counsel leads to failure. • Rehoboam: kingdom fractures; ten tribes revolt (1 Kings 12:16–20), directly illustrating the proverb’s warning. Supporting Scripture Echoes • 2 Chronicles 10:8 – 11 parallels the same rejection of wise counsel. • Proverbs 13:10: “Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.” Rehoboam’s arrogance births national strife. • James 3:17: heavenly wisdom is “peace-loving, gentle, open to reason.” The elders’ advice embodied this; Rehoboam spurned it. Practical Takeaways • Cultivate teachability; even a king needed it. • Weigh counsel by its alignment with Scriptural principles, not by how well it flatters desires. • Seek breadth and depth of advice—mentors, experienced believers, and the whole counsel of God’s Word. • Remember that choices made in pride ripple outward, affecting families, churches, and nations. Summary Proverbs 15:22 provides the template—multiple, godly counselors lead to success. Rehoboam’s choice in 1 Kings 12:14 to ignore that template shows the other side of the proverb: where counsel is slighted, plans—and kingdoms—collapse. |
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