1 Kings 12:6-11 – Follow only to wise counsel

After hearing the request of the people, Rehoboam had a tough decision to make. It could make or break the nation. The people wanted the load laden on them by his father to be lessened. It was a legitimate request. It was perfectly natural to consult with others and seek answers when in doubt. So 1 Kings 12:6-11 described two groups of people whom he sought to help him decide what he should do.   

The first group comprised of the counselors who served his father Solomon. They were older and had seen more life. Besides they understood the context of their problem. Giving a wise and logical explanation, they told Rehoboam to accede to the request of the people. What they saw was a people who had been stressed and seeking some relief. They could see that if Rehoboam served them well, they would reciprocate and serve him for life. Their counsel seemed reasonable. But that was not what the impudent king wanted to hear. Their words were unpalatable to him. The sad word “forsook” in verse 8 tells us that he would not give any consideration to their wise counsel.  

The second group was made up of people from his peers, people who grew up with him and would gladly pander to his childish puerile thinking. These types of people wouldn’t really consider and care what would happen even if their advice was wrong. They only cared more about what one wanted to hear. So they encouraged him to make it even tougher for the people. Verses 10-11 captured for us what they told the unthinking king to do. They said to him, “Thus you shall say to these people who spoke to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us!’ But you shall speak to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins! Whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’”

What lesson can we learn from this passage? Firstly, we learn that it is perfectly alright to seek the counsel of others when we have a tough decision to make. But we must be careful who we approach and listen to. Be sure to seek out the right counselor. Be sure to be wise and discerning with the counsel given. We must learn to evaluate every counsel given. Don’t just plunge headlong without thinking through any given counsel.

Secondly, we need to know that the way people see the problem is often the problem itself. This is quite apparent in the advice given by Rehoboam’s peers. The way they saw the problem was the problem. Yet they failed to see. Hence, they gave a very thoughtless and careless solution. Be careful how we see the problem. It may be the problem itself.        

Thirdly, we must keep this in our hearts. The best counsel we have always comes from God and His Word. Remember that we live to do His will and purpose for our life. Know that people whom He has placed around us are there to help us to explore and seek the best God-guided solution. But the best counsel always comes from God and His Word which Psalm 19:7-11 say:  

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.