1 Kings 12:1-15 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 1 Kings 12:1-15. Let’s go!
1 Kings 12:1-5 (NIV)
1 Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all the Israelites had gone there to make him king.
2 When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard this (he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from Egypt.
3 So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him:
4 “Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.”
5 Rehoboam answered, “Go away for three days and then come back to me.” So the people went away.
On verses 1-5: Israel is about to make Solomon’s son Rehoboam the next king of Israel. While in Egypt, Jeroboam hears about this, returns to Israel and rallies all of Israel behind him, perhaps with promises that if he was made king instead of Rehoboam, he would make sure that the Israelites’ load is lighter. With all Israel behind him, Jeroboam goes before Rehoboam and requests that Rehoboam lighten the Israelites’ work load. Wisely Rehoboam asks for some time to think and consider what to do.
What can we learn from this? Do not make rash promises or say yes to someone without thinking. When someone makes a request of you and you’re not sure what to do, take the time you need to prayerfully consider how to respond and to get advice if necessary.
1 Kings 12:6-7 (NIV)
6 Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How would you advise me to answer these people?” he asked.
7 They replied, “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.”
On verses 6-15: Rehoboam seeks the advice of the elders who served with Solomon. The elders encourage Rehoboam to respond to the people by granting their request to lighten their load. They encourage Rehoboam to take on the attitude of a servant for the people: “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.” (v7)
However, Rehoboam rejects his elders’ advice. Instead, Rehoboam looks for peers who tell him what he wants to hear. Rather than responding humbly to the people’s request, Rehoboam responds harshly and arrogantly, threatening to make their load even heavier. Rehoboam’s arrogance would ultimately lead to his downfall.
What can we learn from this? Two lessons:
1. The elders were encouraging Rehoboam to remember the first principle of leadership, which is that a leader is a servant. The reason why God places you in a position of influence is so that you can serve like Jesus served. Because Rehoboam didn’t get that, he lost much of the influence he was given.
So whenever you are promoted in any way, be it in your home, your workplace, your school, or your church, remember what that promotion is ultimately for. It’s so that you can use what God has given you to serve others.
2. Do not take lightly the advice of those whom God has placed in your life as a mentor, leader or advisor. Before making a big decision, seek good advice, and have a humble, teachable heart when seeking advice. How quick are you to seek advice from experienced leaders before making big decisions? As Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”
Heavenly Father, thank You for the influence You give me. I remember today that it’s so that I can serve like You served. May I not be rash in making promises, or arrogant in the way I make decisions, or insistent on just hearing what I want to hear. Instead may I seek advice with a teachable, humble heart before making big decisions. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
