Tag: 1st Kings 12-16
The school of “hard knocks”!
Scripture reading for April 7th: 1st Kings 12-16
“Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:32
“Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.” Proverbs 16:31
Old people are often marginalized in today’s world. This is not something new, for apparently Solomon’s son Rehoboam also discounted the advice of the elders of his day. When we disregard or disrespect those who have life experience and wisdom, we do so to our own peril!
Rehoboam became king. His father, Solomon had accumulated great wealth through forced labor and excessive taxation. The people appealed to Rehoboam to lighten the burden and harsh yoke of his father and they would serve him. He wisely consulted the elders. (1st Kings 12:4-7) They advised him to serve the people and lighten the yoke on them. But Rehoboam rejected the elder’s good advice.
He consulted the young men he grew up with. These peers advised him to answer the people with harshness and more taxes. The new king refused to listen to the people or the elders and instead took the advice of his peers. This divided the people and fulfilled the Word of the Lord to Jeroboam through the prophet Ahijah. (1st Kings 12:13-16)
Jeroboam returned from Egypt and was made king over Israel. Only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to David’s house. Rehoboam mustered an army, but was warned by a prophetic word from Shemaiah to not fight against his brothers. This time Rehoboam wisely obeyed and Israel became a divided kingdom.
God is always ready to speak to us, if we are willing to listen. We often find that those most easy to receive from are those we agree with. The younger generation often does not value the advice of the elders. Identify an “elder” God has placed in your life who has been a source of wisdom for you. Thank the Lord for that person. Call that person and thank them for their godly input into your life. Ask God to speak to you and guide your path through them so you will not experience the school of “hard knocks”.
Be Careful Who You Listen To!
Scripture reading for April 7th: 1st Kings 12-16
After the death of Solomon and his 40 years of peace and prosperity, Rehoboam, a son of Solomon, took over the throne of his father. Rehoboam had the wisest man who ever lived up to that time as a father and example. Even though wise, Solomon was still human and a sinner and his son Rehoboam failed to learn from the wisdom and truths available to him. When we fail to listen and learn and let pride determine our conduct, trouble always results.
Rehoboam brought the wise older advisers of his father before him for advice. The men of Israel had approached him appealing to him to lower their taxes and lighten their load of forced labor for the king. These older advisers told Rehoboam to listen and lighten up the load. Rehoboam then went to his peers for their advice. They told him to make the load heavier and mocked the people. (1st Kings 12:6-15) Rehoboam liked the younger peers advice and answered the people harshly. This turned their hearts against him.
Scripture notes that Rehoboam’s action was from the Lord to fulfill a word of prophesy spoken to Jeroboam by Ahijah the prophet. God knows all things and sees the end from the beginning. This doesn’t mean that God was controlling the situation as much as that He knew the response before it happened and was working everything out for His purposes! We do well when we listen and obey the word of the Lord! Wise counsel is a precious commodity for those in leadership.
Rehoboam’s decision caused Israel and their ten northern tribes to choose Jeroboam as king. Jeroboam, however, also disobeyed the Lord’s word and direction by making two golden calves and setting up an alternative place of worship. He also placed in the priesthood all who desired to be priests. He did this because he feared the Israelites going down to Jerusalem for sacrifices. (1st Kings 12:26-33) Operating in fear instead of faith always leads to trouble! The sin of Jeroboam led to the downfall of his house, and the many kings of Israel who followed him also held to this idolatry and a false priesthood.
Take a moment today and commit your life to obedience to the Lord and ask God for wise counsel in your life. Ask for discernment and walk by faith!