Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 12:1-24 and 2 Chronicles 9:29 – 11:4
It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice. Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison. But then everyone rushes to the side of yet another youth who replaces him. Endless crowds stand around him, but then another generation grows up and rejects him, too. So it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind. – Ecclesiastes 4:13-16
King Solomon ruled over all of Israel for 40 years, but his body grew old and after he took his last breath, he was buried in the city named after his father, David. He left his son, Rehoboam, many words of wisdom, as well as the throne of Israel. Solomon had experienced the fruit of ruling with wisdom, but he had also experienced the humiliation of living with the consequences of his foolishness. He knew that popularity can disappear as quickly as it rises; one day everyone can be cheering for you, but the next day they will place their hope in a new leader.
All of Israel gathered for the new king’s inauguration. WIth this change in leadership, they saw the opportunity for a better life. The leaders asked Rehoboam to lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that King Solomon had imposed on the people. They promised their loyalty to the new king if he would choose to be less harsh than his father.
SEEKING ADVICE FROM THE GODLY
King Rehoboam asked for three days to make a decision regarding the manner in which he would lead the people of Israel. He went to the older men whom his father had used for counsel, and he asked them for their advice.
The older counselors replied, “If you are good to these people and do your best to please them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects.” — 2 Chronicles 10:7
This model of servant leadership did not appeal to King Rehoboam, so he rejected the wise advice of the godly and built a new team of advisers made up of his childhood friends.
The young men replied, “This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’” — 1 Kings 12:10-11
TAKING ADVICE FROM THE UNGODLY
Rehoboam foolishly followed the advice of his young friends. He spoke harshly to the people, refusing to listen to the leaders of the tribes of Israel. But leading with arrogance backfired, and the people of Israel walked away from their king, leaving Rehoboam with only the towns of Judah to rule. He sent Adoniram to restore order, but the people of Israel stoned him to death. So Rehoboam fled to Jerusalem to mobilize an army. The Lord told him not to fight against his relatives, so Rehoboam accepted his losses and continued to rule over the tribes of Benjamin and Judah.
The wicked are trapped by their own words,
but the godly escape such trouble.
Wise words bring many benefits,
and hard work brings rewards.
Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to others.
A fool is quick-tempered,
but a wise person stays calm when insulted. – Proverbs 12:13-16
The mark of a good leader is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following. – Proverbs 14:28, MSG
Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed. – Proverbs 15:22, MSG
Father God, give us wisdom to act in your love and with your grace. Humble us so that we lead as servants, willing to put the needs of our team ahead of our own. Thank you for those you have placed in our lives who are available for godly counsel, and for their words of encouragement and support. May we recognize bad advice when it comes, and may we glorify you in all that we say and do. Amen.