Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king….“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.” Rehoboam answered, “Go away for three days and then come back to me.” So the people went away. Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How would you advise me to answer these people?” he asked. They replied, “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 12:1, 4-7 NIV
This marks a turning point in Rehoboam’s life. Solomon had died and all Israel had intentions of making him king. His response to their request was an important one, for he had the chance to establish his authority and win their allegiance right from the start. He was wise to delay his answer. How many times have you rushed to give an answer without really taking time to think it through, to pray about it and to seek advice, only to regret your words later? He was also wise to seek advice from experienced counselors who had proven their value in his father’s administration. Their advice was good. Unfortunately, he didn’t take it.
But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. He asked them, “What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?” The young men who had grown up with him replied, “These people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’ Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’” 1 Kings 12:8-11 NIV
The Bible encourages us to seek advice, in fact Proverbs 15:22 tells us “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” The trick is to listen to the right ones! How do you choose your advisors? Are they experienced with a proven track record of success? Are they solid Christians who have a strong knowledge of God’s word? Or are they just friends telling us what they think we want to hear? These are the type of questions Rehoboam should have considered when he was making such a critical decision.
When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse’s son? To your tents, Israel! Look after your own house, David! So the Israelites went home. But as for the Israelites who were living in the towns of Judah, Rehoboam still ruled over them. King Rehoboam sent out Adoniram, who was in charge of forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death. King Rehoboam, however, managed to get into his chariot and escape to Jerusalem. So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. 1 Kings 12:16-19 NIV
His mistake was a costly one, for he gave up the chance to reign over all Israel. Ten of the tribes defected and made Jeroboam king, leaving Rehoboam to reign over the two tribes of Judah. What decisions are you facing today? Whose advice will you seek? I encourage you to learn from this king’s mistake and choose wisely, especially in spiritual matters. Look to those who’s lives demonstrate the wisdom of God’s word. Seek out those whom you know will tell you what they believe is best, even if they know it’s not what you want to hear. And most importantly, seek God’s wisdom. There is no record of Rehoboam, nor his advisors seeking the Lord in prayer. If he neglected to pray, that was by far his biggest mistake!