“But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him.” 1 Kings 12:8
The 40 year reign of King Solomon has finally come to an end. It was now time for his oldest son, Rehoboam, to take his place. If you remember Solomon had “loved many foreign women”, though warned by God about this: “You shall not associate with them, nor shall they associate with you, for they will surely turn your heart away after their gods.” Not surprising, that’s exactly what happened! As a result, God had promised to take all but 2 Tribes away from him. So how would he accomplish this? Today’s Verse gives us that answer!
And so, the oldest son of the smartest man that has ever lived, rejects his father’s counselors and follows his friends instead! I’m sure Solomon failed to be the father he needed to be at times, but if you’ve read thru Proverbs, you know Rehoboam was on the receiving end of Tremendous Wisdom. He had EVERYTHING he could possibly want, and MORE, and then just threw it all away with One Bad Decision. This is another of those Jaw Dropping Stories we have in the Bible!
But then consider this; All Mankind is at Enmity with God. He does not want to obey Him, including Rehoboam, and alas, our children too. Hatred of the 5th Commandment is at the root of this story. He Would Not Obey his father, or his God. Bottom Line!!! This is such an Important Lesson to learn as Parents,…and as Children. May God give us Grace!