TO CHEW ON: "But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him." 1 Kings 12:8
After being king in Israel for forty years, Solomon died. When Jeroboam, who was still in Egypt, heard this, he rushed back to Israel. Then he led the people of Israel when they came before Solomon’s son Rehoboam, who was the new king. They wanted to ask something of him.
“Solomon your father forced us to work very hard,” they said. “We will serve you as king if you are easier on us.”
“I’ll give you my decision in three days,” Rehoboam told them. During those days, Rehoboam went to some people for advice. First he went to the elders, those men who had advised his father and had experience working with people and in government.
Then Rehoboam went to his friends, the young men he’d grown up with. “What do you think?” he asked them. “Should I do what the people ask?”
“No way!” they said to him. “You’re the king. Make sure they know it. Tell them, if you think my father was bad, you haven’t seen anything yet!”
1. Which advice to you think was wiseset? ____________
2. Which advice did Rehoboam listen to? (1 Kings 12:14)._____________
Three days later the people gathered again to hear Rehoboam’s answer. What did he say? Complete each statement (1 Kings 12:14):
3. “My father made your yoke heavy. I will ___________
4. “My father scourged you with whips. I will _____________
Because of Rehoboam’s harsh answer, the people of ten Israel tribes decided they no longer wanted Rehoboam to be their king. Instead they chose Jeroboam to lead them, just as the prophet had predicted. Because Rehoboam listened to foolish advice, the kingdom was split.
PRAYER: Dear God, help me to know wise advice and to follow it. Amen.
MORE: Finding Wise Advisers
Do you ever ask for advice? Asking for advice is a wise thing to do – if you choose to ask the right people. Who would you ask for advice about the following situations? Choose from the list of possible advice-givers at the bottom, or fill in your own choice.
1. You have had a pain in your stomach for weeks. ________
2. When you try to read the computer screen, the words are blurry. __________
3. You know that a group of kids in school is stealing money from lockers and backpacks. _______
4. You’re wondering what job to do when you grow up._________
5. You don’t know what subject to pick for your science fair project._________
6. You’re wondering what to get your mom for her birthday. ____________
MOM DAD TEACHERS FRIENDS
MEDICAL DOCTOR EYE DOCTOR
SCHOOL COUNSELOR BROTHERS & SISTERS
Answers
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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