But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him. —
1 Kings 12:8
The prophecy about Christ in Isaiah 11:2 reads, “The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” The Spirit of Counsel and Might shows you what to do and then gives you the power to do it. That is the spirit or ability we need when faced with complex situations requiring potentially life-changing decisions. Every emerging leader will face several such moments.1 Kings 12:8
The ‘spirit’ of Rehobaom, when faced with major choices, rejects tried and tested wisdom in favour of the unconsidered opinions of the inexperienced. The new king had the opportunity to give His people some reprieve in return for their long-term loyalty. He had the benefit of the wisdom and experience of people who knew the ropes. Yet, he rather chose the counsel of the relatively inexperienced who urged him to rebuff the approach of his people who simply wanted some assurances from their new king.
By one irresponsible answer, the kingdom David had laboured for 40 years to build and which Solomon had toiled for another 40 years to consolidate was split in one day. Rehoboam divided the united country he had inherited and ended up ruling in only two of the original twelve tribes. That is the cost of appointing a wrong successor. Always choose the spirit of counsel and might over the “spirit” of Rehoboam.
Prayer:
Father, grant me the discernment to always follow good counsel and thus preserve my inheritance.Scripture Reading:
1 Kings 12:1-19
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