Taking the Wrong Advice

 Solomon’s kingdom was recognized throughout the known world for its splendor, and Solomon himself was recognized for his wisdom.  The Queen of Sheba had said, “…not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard.  How happy your men must be!” (II Chronicles 9:6-7)

 But it seems not everyone was happy.  The wealth described must have resulted from a burden of taxation and enforced labor.  When Solomon died and his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne, he was approached by a group of his subjects under the leadership of Jeroboam.  They requested that the “heavy yoke” placed on them by Solomon be lightened by Rehoboam.

Rehoboam did not answer immediately.  He asked that they return in three days for his answer.  This would have been to his credit, if he had used those days to pray for wisdom and to seek the counsel of godly men.

He asked the advice of two groups.  The first group was comprised of the elders who had served under his father.  They advised, “If you will be kind to these people and please them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.” 

Rehoboam should have stopped there.  It sounds as though he had already made up his mind in the other direction and was just looking for someone to agree with him.  He then went to the young men with whom he had grown up.  They offered the opposite advice.  He should, they said, answer harshly and tell his subjects, “My father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will make it even heavier.”

Rehoboam went with the advice of his young friends.  As a result, the kingdom was split.  Rehoboam ended up ruling only over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.  The remaining ten tribes gave their allegiance to Jeroboam.

The wisdom with which Rehoboam’s grandfather David and father Solomon had ruled had been derived from God Himself.  David had remained in a constant relationship with God recognizing his sovereignty.  Although Solomon had in later life strayed from some of God’s commandments, he had on initially becoming king requested that God gift him with wisdom, and God had promised that He would grant that request.  Rehoboam apparently had no such inclinations.  He thought his young friends…his peers…could advise him.

It is heartbreaking to see a young person follow the lead of his/her peers rather than the wisdom of his elders or more importantly, the directives of the God who loves him.  This is all too common.  A young person does not want to believe that his parents have much to offer.  He desperately wants to go his own way.  He may ask advice, but he will keep asking until he finds someone who agrees with what he wants to do anyway.

How different for the young person who keeps his eyes fixed on Jesus and doing what is right in God’s sight…no matter how difficult.  God loves each of us as individuals and has a plan for each life.  It is His intent to bring blessing. 

The wisdom of Rehoboam’s father Solomon from Proverbs 3: 1,5,6  “My son…trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Advice not taken by Rehoboam.