After reigning over Israel for forty years, King Solomon died and rested with his fathers (1 Kings 11:42-43). The next in line to the throne was his son Rehoboam, but he had a test presented to him by the nation of Israel. How would he handle this challenge? Would he be able to win the hearts of the people? In order to face this great challenge, Rehoboam consulted with two groups of advisors before making his decision, which would shape the history of Israel for years to come.

            After calling the nation of Israel to Shechem, Rehoboam was presented with their challenge. They asked to have their burden reduced from what had been required by Solomon. Rehoboam asked for three days to consider their proposal. During that time he first consulted with the wise elders, who had advised his father. These men gave Rehoboam sound advice. They told him to lighten the burden on the people and they would serve him forever, but this was not what Rehoboam wanted to hear (1 Kings 12:1-8a).

            After hearing the advice of the wise elders, Rehoboam turned to the young men that made up his peer group. Their advice was to make the burden on the people heavier than what they had endured under Solomon. This was what Rehoboam wanted to hear, and perhaps this stroked his ego in that he could show that he was greater than his father. When the nation came back together to hear Rehoboam’s response, he told them that he would make his little finger thicker than his father’s loins (1 Kings 12:8b-11). This rude response did not set well with the Israelites.

            After hearing Rehoboam’s response, ten of the tribes of Israel went north with Jeroboam and formed the kingdom of Israel. Rehoboam lost out on the majority of the nation and the kingdom was divided, fulfilling the prophecy of the Lord as punishment for Solomon’s sins (1 Kings 12:15). Because Rehoboam heeded bad advice, his legacy was tarnished. He lost out on ruling over all the tribes of Israel except for Judah. The history of the Israelites was forever changed by Rehoboam’s decision to heed bad advice.

            After considering this lesson from the life of Rehoboam, what application can we make in our lives? When we have a major decision to make in our lives, to whom do we turn? Do we only want to have our ears scratched and hear what we want, or are we willing to hear the truth from wise men? We have the opportunity each day to heed the good words of God and to follow His statutes and His commandments. Or we can choose to listen to those around us, whose advice may sound good at the time, but the end of their path leads to ruin and misery. Whose advice will you heed this day?