And the king answered the people harshly. He rejected the advice of the elders And the kingThis phrase refers to Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, who had ascended to the throne of Israel. The Hebrew word for "king" is "melek," which signifies a ruler or one who reigns. In the context of Israel's history, the king was seen as God's appointed leader, responsible for guiding the people according to divine law. Rehoboam's role as king was not just political but also spiritual, as he was expected to uphold the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. answered the people
The Hebrew verb "anah" is used here, meaning to respond or reply. This interaction is crucial as it reflects the king's relationship with his subjects. In ancient Israel, the king's response was not merely a matter of policy but a reflection of his heart and wisdom. The people had come to Rehoboam seeking relief from the heavy burdens imposed by his father, Solomon. This moment was pivotal, as it would determine the unity and future of the kingdom. harshly
The word "harshly" is translated from the Hebrew "qasheh," which means severe or cruel. This choice of response indicates a lack of empathy and understanding. In the biblical narrative, harshness is often contrasted with the gentleness and wisdom that God desires from leaders. Rehoboam's harshness is a departure from the wise and discerning leadership exemplified by his grandfather David, and it foreshadows the division of the kingdom. He rejected
The Hebrew verb "azab" means to forsake or abandon. Rehoboam's rejection is not just a dismissal of advice but a turning away from the wisdom that had guided Israel's leaders. This act of rejection is significant in the biblical context, as it symbolizes a departure from the path of righteousness and divine guidance. It highlights the importance of seeking and heeding wise counsel, especially for those in positions of authority. the advice of the elders
The "elders" were the experienced and wise leaders who had served under Solomon. The Hebrew word "zaqen" refers to those who are aged and respected for their wisdom. In ancient Israel, elders played a crucial role in governance and decision-making, offering guidance based on years of experience and understanding of God's laws. Rehoboam's decision to ignore their counsel reflects a disregard for tradition and the collective wisdom of the community, leading to disastrous consequences for the nation. Persons / Places / Events 1. RehoboamThe son of Solomon and the king of Israel at this time. His decision-making in this chapter leads to the division of the kingdom. 2. The EldersAdvisors who had served Solomon and offered wise counsel to Rehoboam, advising him to serve the people and speak kindly to them. 3. The Young MenRehoboam's peers who advised him to assert his authority harshly, leading to his rejection of the elders' advice. 4. IsraelThe united kingdom under Solomon, which is on the brink of division due to Rehoboam's actions. 5. ShechemThe place where Rehoboam went to be crowned king, and where the people of Israel gathered to make their requests. Teaching Points The Importance of Wise CounselRehoboam's rejection of the elders' advice serves as a cautionary tale about the value of seeking and heeding wise counsel. In our lives, we should prioritize listening to those with experience and wisdom, especially when making significant decisions. The Consequences of HarshnessThe king's harsh response led to the division of the kingdom. This teaches us that our words and attitudes can have far-reaching consequences. We should strive to communicate with kindness and understanding. Servant LeadershipRehoboam's failure to serve the people highlights the biblical principle of servant leadership. As followers of Christ, we are called to lead by serving others, putting their needs above our own. Listening to Godly AdviceThe contrast between the elders' advice and the young men's counsel reminds us to discern the source of our advice. We should seek guidance from those who align with biblical principles and values. Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn from Rehoboam's decision to reject the elders' advice, and how can we apply this lesson in our own decision-making processes? 2. How does the concept of servant leadership, as taught by Jesus, contrast with Rehoboam's approach to leadership in this passage? 3. In what ways can we ensure that we are seeking and following wise and godly counsel in our lives? 4. Reflect on a time when harsh words led to negative consequences in your life. How might a gentle response have changed the outcome? 5. How can we apply the principles found in Proverbs 15:1 and James 1:19-20 to improve our communication with others? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 15:1This verse highlights the power of gentle words, contrasting with Rehoboam's harsh response. Proverbs 11:14Emphasizes the importance of wise counsel, which Rehoboam ignored, leading to disastrous consequences. James 1:19-20Encourages believers to be quick to listen and slow to speak, a principle Rehoboam failed to apply. Matthew 20:26-28Jesus teaches about servant leadership, which contrasts with Rehoboam's approach to leadership. People Adoniram, Adoram, Ahijah, Benjamin, Dan, David, Israelites, Jeroboam, Jesse, Levi, Levites, Nebat, Penuel, Rehoboam, Shemaiah, SolomonPlaces Bethel, Dan, Egypt, Jerusalem, Penuel, ShechemTopics Advice, Answereth, Attention, Counsel, Counselled, Elders, Forsaketh, Forsaking, Forsook, Giving, Harshly, Men's, Rejecting, Rough, Roughly, Sharply, SuggestionDictionary 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 12:8-14 5746 youth 1 Kings 12:8-15 8410 decision-making, examples 1 Kings 12:10-14 5404 masters 1 Kings 12:12-14 5568 suffering, causes 1 Kings 12:13-14 5881 immaturity 1 Kings 12:13-15 5779 advice
5780 advisers 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 12:13 NIV1 Kings 12:13 NLT1 Kings 12:13 ESV1 Kings 12:13 NASB1 Kings 12:13 KJV
1 Kings 12:13 Commentaries
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