1 Kings 12:13-14

New International Version (NIV)

 The king answered the people harshly. Rejecting the advice given him by the elders, he followed the advice of the young men

For Meditation

1. What was Rehoboam thinking when he rejected the excellent counsel of the elders for the arrogant counsel of the young men he had grown with (1 Kings 12:13)?
2. Yes, his father had rightly said that “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Prov. 15:22); but didn’t Rehoboam miss a critical factor in the consultation equation – the ability to make sound judgment in the midst of multiple counsel?
3. Was it not the same Solomon who said, “My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion” (3:21)? So, where was wisdom? Did he understand the stakes that confronted his young career? Do you see why sound judgment deserted Him?
4. Is that not what happens when we forget the first and most important Counselor in our lives – God Almighty? Doesn’t counsel and sound judgment come from Him (8:14)? Why then did the young king fail to consult Him?
5. How many times haven’t we made the same fundamental mistake in decision making? How many times haven’t we consulted everyone we respect, every book on earth, and every “authority” on a particular issue, but our All-wise God and King? Isn’t it sad to walk away and get our noses bruised, when our closest and most trusted Counselor is just a prayer away?

I pray we remember that seeking multiple counsel is good, but the most important and trusted Counselor is our Lord Jesus Christ (Is. 9:6). For, just as Ahithophel’s good counsel was frustrated before Absalom (2 Sam. 15:31; 17:14), so is the counsel of every other person without God.

So: May we never forget Christ in our decision making (James 1:5), but to commit them all to Him (Prov. 3:5-6) and be willing to obey His voice; and may discernment grace every decision we make so that we may save ourselves from unnecessary troubles.

Shalom