Topical Bible: Government: Mosaic: Counsels King Rehoboam

◄ Government: Mosaic: Counsels King Rehoboam ►

Topical Encyclopedia

The episode of King Rehoboam seeking counsel is a significant moment in the history of Israel's monarchy, illustrating the enduring principles of Mosaic governance and the consequences of leadership decisions. This event is recorded in 1 Kings 12 and 2 Chronicles 10, where Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, ascends to the throne of Israel.

Upon Solomon's death, Rehoboam traveled to Shechem, where all Israel had gathered to make him king. The people, led by Jeroboam, approached Rehoboam with a request: "Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you" (1 Kings 12:4). This plea reflects the burdensome policies of Solomon's reign, which included heavy taxation and forced labor to support his extensive building projects and luxurious lifestyle.

Rehoboam's response to this request would determine the future of his kingdom. He first sought the counsel of the elders who had served his father Solomon. These elders, steeped in the wisdom and traditions of Mosaic law, advised Rehoboam to serve the people and speak kindly to them, suggesting that such an approach would ensure their loyalty: "If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants" (1 Kings 12:7).

The elders' counsel was rooted in the Mosaic principles of justice, mercy, and servant leadership, reflecting the covenantal relationship between God and His people. The Mosaic law emphasized the responsibility of leaders to act justly and to care for the welfare of the people, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 17:18-20, which instructs kings to read and follow the law diligently.

However, Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders and instead consulted the young men he had grown up with, who lacked the experience and wisdom of the elder counselors. These young men advised Rehoboam to assert his authority and increase the burdens on the people, saying, "My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father scourged you with whips, but I will scourge you with scorpions" (1 Kings 12:10-11).

Rehoboam's decision to follow the counsel of the young men led to disastrous consequences. His harsh response alienated the northern tribes, resulting in the division of the kingdom. Ten tribes rebelled against Rehoboam's rule, forming the northern kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam, while only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to Rehoboam, constituting the southern kingdom of Judah.

This pivotal moment underscores the importance of wise and godly counsel in leadership, as well as the principles of servant leadership inherent in Mosaic governance. The failure to heed the elders' advice and the subsequent division of the kingdom serve as a cautionary tale about the consequences of pride and the rejection of godly wisdom. The narrative of Rehoboam's reign is a testament to the enduring relevance of Mosaic principles in governance and the vital role of humility and service in leadership.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 12:6-8,13
And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do you advise that I may answer this people?
Nave's Topical Index