Scripture – ““Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard this (he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from Egypt. So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: “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.” Rehoboam answered, “Go away for three days and then come back to me.” So the people went away. 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. 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.” But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. He asked them, “What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?” The young men who had grown up with him replied, “These people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’ Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’ ””
1 Kings 12:1-11 NIV
Observation – Solomon had died and is son Réhoboam has become King. The people of Israel came to him and said that King Solomon was too hard on them and that they would gladly serve Réhoboam if he lightened the work load. It is incredible to think that King Solomon was so demanding of his people. He was the wisest and wealthiest man in the world but, based on this passage, he enriched himself by making his subjects miserable. The elders advise Rehobaom to serve the people of Israel, which was the King’s purpose, and then they would serve him. This is how every healthy relationship works. His friends told him to work them harder. If you read the rest of the chapter you can find out for yourself what happened.
Application – If you love yourself you will study the Bible. The books of 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings and 2 Kings show us how God deals with a man during his lifetime which is a good indication of how he is going to deal with us. We can avoid a lot of trouble in our lifetime if we learn from the mistakes of others, especially these powerful leaders that had the privilege of serving God’s people.
Prayer – Lord, every decision we make is a demonstration of our trust in you or our lack of faith. I pray that we would be wise today and listen to you and trust that your ways are perfect. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 