Who are the King’s advisors?
In the early days a king would have his advisors. Trusted and wise these advisors guided the king with their counsel on all matters from foreign policy to matters of the household. In today’s context Presidents and Prime Ministers still have advisors. They appoint special committees who give their formal recommendations on various matters. Yet when it comes to the streets where you and I live, an advice is not always welcome.
We live in a “world of me” where “your” advice is unwelcome. Your advice is welcome only if it agrees with “me”.
Well it was not very different in the days described in 1st Kings 11. Solomon is gone, Rehoboam succeeds him. The new king is very unlike his father when it comes to discernment. He absolutely fails when in one of his first decisions.
The people of Israel had undertaken some great constructions under Solomon, thus now they sought a reprieve — a reduction in taxes. It was a request made by Jeroboam and the representatives of Israel.
Now Rehoboam consulted the elders, they said serving the people now will enable the king to get their loyalty forever. This meant reduction in taxes. Rehoboam next consulted his friends and they gave an advice pleasing to his ears — increase taxes!
Here Rehoboam had the opportunity to strengthen his reign as king of United Israel but then his lack of discernment plucked away most of his kingdom. Jeroboam rules Israel whereas Rehoboam is left with Judah.
Kings are supposed to look after their subjects, this was what Solomon understood as his role. Interestingly his own son misses this whole point. One wonders how much time Solomon was able to give to his son Rehoboam.
Who are our advisors? Do we have people in our lives who will care to tell us when we make mistakes or warn us before?
Our attitude to such people may often be negative, instead lets hold onto such friends more who do not always agree with us.
The best counseller we have is the Holy Spirit living in us, may we grow in our obedience to his counsel. May we delight in God’s word more and more and thus grow more in His ways.
