Rehoboam and Solomon: A Contrast
Rehoboam was King Solomon’s son and heir. When Solomon died, the leaders of the people made a request of Rehoboam before they would submit to his rule: they asked him to lighten the burdens (taxation, forced labor on government projects, etc.) that they had endured under Solomon.
Before answering, Rehoboam consulted the older men who had served his father. They told him that if he would be a servant to the people and grant their petition, he would win their loyalty. But Rehoboam rejected their advice and went to his younger peers. (It appears he already had his mind made up.) They told him to assert his authority and declare that he would increase the people’s burdens. And that’s just what Rehoboam did.
In response, the majority of Israel’s tribes abandoned Rehoboam and formed a new nation. The kingdom was now divided.
We often (rightly) highlight Rehoboam’s foolishness in rejecting the advice of his elders. But did you notice who Rehoboam didn’t consult at all? The Lord.
That is in sharp contrast to his father. When Solomon was to become king, he prayed:
Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king … yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours? (1 Kings 3:7-9)
And God gave Solomon the wisdom and understanding he asked for.
We see no hint of any such attitude on Rehoboam’s part. His failure wasn’t just in rejecting the counsel of the older men, but in not humbly seeking the guidance and help of God.
When we face a decision, a challenge, or a problem, we certainly are wise to seek good information and helpful advice from reliable people. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice” (Proverbs 12:15). “Through insolence comes nothing but strife, but wisdom is with those who receive counsel” (Proverbs 13:10). But even more, do we remember to lay those things before God in prayer, asking Him for what we need? Ultimately, He is the giver of wisdom and discernment (see James 1:5; Philippians 1:9). He may provide that in various ways: through His revealed word, of course; through the good counsel of others; through experience; or perhaps in other ways. But He is the source and provider.
Could we not say the same of courage, endurance, forbearance, etc.? “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17). We short-change ourselves if we seek the gifts without asking the Giver.
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