Rehoboam’s Folly
June 23, 2019
Commentary
Rehoboam was installed as king in Shechem after his father died (v. 1). Shechem was a very fitting spot for the coronation of a king of Israel as it was the first place God appeared to Abraham (Gen. 12:6-7), Jacob settled there and (Gen. 33:18-20) and Joseph was buried there (Josh. 24:32). Jeroboam heard about Solomon’s death and that Rehoboam had been crowned as the new king. He and some of his followers traveled to see Rehoboam and make a plea for lower taxes. He told the king that if he would lighten the taxes and make things easier for them they would serve him and be loyal to him (vv. 2-5). Rehoboam said that he wanted three days to think about their suggestion.
First he asked the older men, who had served as his father’s advisors, for their advice (vv. 6-7). These wise men said, “Do as the people ask; don’t tax them so heavily and be kind to them.” Then Rehoboam called in some of the young men whom he had grown up with and asked their advice. These younger men’s counsel was the opposite of what the elders had given (vv. 8-11).
Rehoboam did not have the wisdom of his father Solomon. Instead of following the wise advice of the older men, he followed the counsel of the younger men. When Jeroboam came back to the king on the third day, Rehoboam looked very stern and angry and spoke to them roughly telling them he was going to make things harder and not easier for them (vv. 12-14). It is clearly stated that this turn of events was from the Lord (v. 15). This is a fulfillment of prophecy made by Ahijah (11:31-39) and a manifestation of God’s judgment because of Solomon’s apostasy.
Application
When Rehoboam asked for advice he didn’t carefully evaluate what he was told. When I evaluate advice I need to consider if it is realistic, workable, and consistent with Biblical principles. Advice is helpful only if it is consistent with God’s standards.
1 Kings 12:1– 15 (NET)
1 Rehoboam traveled to Shechem, for all Israel had gathered in Shechem to make Rehoboam king. 2 When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard the news, he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon and had been living ever since. 3 They sent for him, and Jeroboam and the whole Israelite assembly came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, 4 “Your father made us work too hard. Now if you lighten the demands he made and don’t make us work as hard, we will serve you.” 5 He said to them, “Go away for three days, then return to me.” So the people went away.
6 King Rehoboam consulted with the older advisers who had served his father Solomon when he had been alive. He asked them, “How do you advise me to answer these people?” 7 They said to him, “Today if you will be a servant to these people and grant their request, speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants from this time forward.” 8 But Rehoboam rejected their advice and consulted the young advisers who served him, with whom he had grown up. 9 He asked them, “How do you advise me to respond to these people who said to me, ‘Lessen the demands your father placed on us’?” 10 The young advisers with whom Rehoboam had grown up said to him, “Say this to these people who have said to you, ‘Your father made us work hard, but now lighten our burden.’ Say this to them: ‘I am a lot harsher than my father! 11 My father imposed heavy demands on you; I will make them even heavier. My father punished you with ordinary whips; I will punish you with whips that really sting your flesh.’”
12 Jeroboam and all the people reported to Rehoboam on the third day, just as the king had ordered when he said, “Return to me on the third day.” 13 The king responded to the people harshly. He rejected the advice of the older men 14 and followed the advice of the younger ones. He said, “My father imposed heavy demands on you; I will make them even heavier. My father punished you with ordinary whips; I will punish you with whips that really sting your flesh.” 15 The king refused to listen to the people, because the Lord was instigating this turn of events so that he might bring to pass the prophetic announcement he had made through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.