They replied, "If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever." They repliedThis phrase indicates the response of the elders who had served Solomon. The Hebrew root for "replied" is "עָנָה" (anah), which means to answer or respond. This suggests a thoughtful and considered response, emphasizing the wisdom and experience of these elders. Historically, the elders were seasoned advisors, and their counsel was rooted in years of observing the successes and failures of leadership. Their reply is not just a suggestion but a distillation of wisdom that had been proven over time. If you will be a servant
The concept of being a "servant" is central to this verse. The Hebrew word used here is "עֶבֶד" (eved), which can mean servant, slave, or bondman. In a biblical context, this term often denotes humility and a willingness to put others' needs before one's own. Jesus Christ later exemplifies this servant leadership in the New Testament, highlighting its enduring importance. The elders are advising Rehoboam to adopt a leadership style that is counter-cultural, emphasizing humility and service over power and dominance. to these people today
The phrase "to these people today" underscores the immediacy and relevance of the elders' advice. "These people" refers to the Israelites who had come to Rehoboam seeking relief from heavy burdens. The use of "today" (הַיּוֹם, hayom) stresses the urgency of the situation. It is a call to action, urging Rehoboam to seize the moment to establish a positive relationship with his subjects. Historically, this moment was pivotal, as the kingdom was on the brink of division. and serve them
The repetition of the concept of service ("serve them") reinforces its importance. The Hebrew root "שָׁרַת" (sharat) means to minister or attend to. This is not merely about performing duties but about cultivating a heart of service. In the biblical narrative, true leadership is marked by a commitment to the well-being of others, reflecting God's own care for His people. and if you will respond to them
The phrase "if you will respond to them" highlights the conditional nature of the elders' advice. The Hebrew root "עָנָה" (anah) is used again, emphasizing the importance of communication and responsiveness. This suggests that leadership involves active listening and engagement with the concerns of the people. It is a reminder that leaders must be attuned to the needs and voices of those they lead. by speaking kind words to them
"Speaking kind words" is a powerful directive. The Hebrew word for "kind" is "טוֹב" (tov), which means good, pleasant, or agreeable. This implies that the manner of communication is as important as the content. Kind words can build trust and foster loyalty, while harsh words can lead to division and rebellion. The elders are advising Rehoboam to use his words to heal and unite, rather than to wound and divide. then they will be your servants forever
The promise "then they will be your servants forever" is a profound assurance. The Hebrew word for "forever" is "עוֹלָם" (olam), which denotes perpetuity or eternity. This suggests that the benefits of servant leadership are long-lasting. By serving the people and speaking kindly, Rehoboam could secure their loyalty and service indefinitely. This reflects a biblical principle that true leadership, rooted in humility and service, results in enduring relationships and stability. Persons / Places / Events 1. RehoboamThe son of Solomon and the king of Israel who sought counsel on how to respond to the people's request for lighter burdens. 2. The EldersThe older advisors who had served Solomon and advised Rehoboam to serve the people with kindness. 3. IsraelThe united kingdom under Solomon, now facing potential division due to Rehoboam's decision. 4. ShechemThe place where Rehoboam went to be crowned king and where the people of Israel gathered to make their request. 5. JeroboamA former official under Solomon who later became the leader of the northern tribes after the kingdom split. Teaching Points Servant LeadershipTrue leadership is characterized by serving others. Rehoboam was advised to lead by serving, a principle that remains vital for leaders today. The Power of WordsKind and gentle words can build loyalty and unity. The elders' advice underscores the importance of communication in leadership. Seeking Wise CounselRehoboam's account reminds us of the importance of seeking and heeding wise counsel, especially from those with experience. Consequences of DecisionsDecisions made by leaders can have long-lasting impacts on their followers. Rehoboam's choice led to the division of the kingdom. Humility in LeadershipHumility is essential for effective leadership. Rehoboam was called to humble himself and serve, reflecting Christ's example. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Rehoboam's response to the elders' advice reflect the importance of humility in leadership? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of servant leadership in our own lives and communities? 3. How do the elders' words in 1 Kings 12:7 relate to Jesus' teachings on leadership in the New Testament? 4. What are some practical ways we can ensure we are seeking and listening to wise counsel in our decision-making? 5. Reflect on a time when kind words made a significant difference in your life. How can you use this experience to impact others positively? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 15:1This verse highlights the power of gentle words, which aligns with the elders' advice to Rehoboam to speak kindly to the people. Matthew 20:26-28Jesus teaches about servant leadership, which echoes the elders' counsel to Rehoboam to serve the people. Philippians 2:3-4Paul encourages believers to consider others above themselves, a principle that Rehoboam was advised to follow. James 3:17Wisdom from above is described as peace-loving and considerate, qualities the elders recommended to Rehoboam. 1 Peter 5:2-3Peter instructs leaders to shepherd the flock willingly and eagerly, not lording it over them, similar to the elders' advice. People Adoniram, Adoram, Ahijah, Benjamin, Dan, David, Israelites, Jeroboam, Jesse, Levi, Levites, Nebat, Penuel, Rehoboam, Shemaiah, SolomonPlaces Bethel, Dan, Egypt, Jerusalem, Penuel, ShechemTopics Always, Caring, Favorable, Forever, Gentle, Giving, Grant, Hast, Petition, Saying, Servant, Servants, Serve, Served, Spake, Speak, Spoke, Spoken, To-day, WiltDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 12:1-15 5010 conscience, matters of 1 Kings 12:1-17 7233 Israel, northern kingdom 1 Kings 12:1-19 7236 Israel, united kingdom 1 Kings 12:1-24 5366 king
7245 Judah, kingdom of 1 Kings 12:6-7 5811 compromise 1 Kings 12:6-8 5727 old age, attitudes
7719 elders, as leaders Library How to Split a Kingdom
And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. 2. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt); 3. That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, 4. Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScripturePolitical Religion
'Then Jeroboam built Shechera in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel. 26. And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: 27. If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. 28. Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture "This Thing is from Me"
"Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me."--1 Kings 12:24. IT IS VERY DELIGHTFUL to read a history in which God is made prominent. How sadly deficient we are of such histories of our own English nation! Yet surely there is no story that is more full of God than the record of the doings of our British race. Cowper, in one of his poems, shows the parallel between us and the house of Israel, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 42: 1896 The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 How God Works in the Hearts of Men.
1. Connection of this chapter with the preceding. Augustine's similitude of a good and bad rider. Question answered in respect to the devil. 2. Question answered in respect to God and man. Example from the history of Job. The works of God distinguished from the works of Satan and wicked men. 1. By the design or end of acting. How Satan acts in the reprobate. 2. How God acts in them. 3. Old Objection, that the agency of God in such cases is referable to prescience or permission, not actual operation. …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
Sections. 1. Summary of the doctrine of Divine Providence. 1. It embraces the future and the past. 2. It works by means, without means, and against means. 3. Mankind, and particularly the Church, the object of special care. 4. The mode of administration usually secret, but always just. This last point more fully considered. 2. The profane denial that the world is governed by the secret counsel of God, refuted by passages of Scripture. Salutary counsel. 3. This doctrine, as to the secret counsel of …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Upbringing of Jewish Children
The tenderness of the bond which united Jewish parents to their children appears even in the multiplicity and pictorialness of the expressions by which the various stages of child-life are designated in the Hebrew. Besides such general words as "ben" and "bath"--"son" and "daughter"--we find no fewer than nine different terms, each depicting a fresh stage of life. The first of these simply designates the babe as the newly--"born"--the "jeled," or, in the feminine, "jaldah"--as in Exodus 2:3, 6, 8. …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He Continues Free from Every Taint.
1. The carnal mind the source of the objections which are raised against the Providence of God. A primary objection, making a distinction between the permission and the will of God, refuted. Angels and men, good and bad, do nought but what has been decreed by God. This proved by examples. 2. All hidden movements directed to their end by the unseen but righteous instigation of God. Examples, with answers to objections. 3. These objections originate in a spirit of pride and blasphemy. Objection, that …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Of Civil Government.
OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT. This chapter consists of two principal heads,--I. General discourse on the necessity, dignity, and use of Civil Government, in opposition to the frantic proceedings of the Anabaptists, sec. 1-3. II. A special exposition of the three leading parts of which Civil Government consists, sec. 4-32. The first part treats of the function of Magistrates, whose authority and calling is proved, sec. 4-7. Next, the three Forms of civil government are added, sec. 8. Thirdly, Consideration …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Figurative Language of Scripture.
1. When the psalmist says: "The Lord God is a sun and shield" (Psa. 84:11), he means that God is to all his creatures the source of life and blessedness, and their almighty protector; but this meaning he conveys under the figure of a sun and a shield. When, again, the apostle James says that Moses is read in the synagogues every Sabbath-day (Acts 15:21), he signifies the writings of Moses under the figure of his name. In these examples the figure lies in particular words. But it may be embodied …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 12:7 NIV1 Kings 12:7 NLT1 Kings 12:7 ESV1 Kings 12:7 NASB1 Kings 12:7 KJV
1 Kings 12:7 Commentaries
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