When Wisdom Is Rejected: The Tragedy of Rehoboam
When Wisdom Is Rejected: The Tragedy of Rehoboam
Kingdom Builders: Forming Character in an Age of Confusion
Wisdom — Episode 3
Have you ever asked someone for advice when, deep down, you had already decided what you wanted to do?
Maybe you didn't like the first answer, so you asked someone else. And then someone else—until eventually you found someone who agreed with you.
At that point, are we really seeking wisdom, or are we simply seeking agreement?
In this third episode of our Wisdom journey, we turn to the sobering story of Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12. Rehoboam didn't lack counsel. In fact, wise counsel was standing right in front of him. He heard it, understood it—and rejected it.
His decision ultimately helped divide a kingdom.
Wisdom Must Be Received
Throughout this series we've been building upon a simple definition:
Wisdom is knowing the right response.
Discernment helps us see clearly. Wisdom helps us know what to do with what we've seen.
But before wisdom can ever be exercised, it must first be received.
Rehoboam inherited an extraordinary legacy. His grandfather was David. His father was Solomon. And when the people came asking their new king to lighten the burdens Solomon had placed upon them, Rehoboam initially did something that appeared wise: he sought counsel.
The experienced elders who had served Solomon advised him to listen to the people, lighten their burden, speak kindly to them, and serve them.
Their counsel was essentially this:
If you want to lead these people, begin by serving them.
But Rehoboam rejected their counsel and instead listened to the younger men who had grown up with him. Their advice appealed to strength, status and power.
And Rehoboam chose their voice.
Who Has Your Ear?
Rehoboam's ancient story is remarkably contemporary.
We live in a world overflowing with voices—friends, family, teachers, pastors, experts, television, podcasts, social media, and even artificial intelligence.
But access to more voices doesn't necessarily make us wiser.
Eventually, each of us must ask:
Who has my ear?
And perhaps the deeper question:
Why have I given them my ear?
Do I listen to people because they possess wisdom, character and experience? Are they willing to tell me the truth even when it is uncomfortable?
Or do I listen because I know they are likely to agree with me?
There is a tremendous difference between seeking wisdom and seeking agreement.
When Wisdom Meets a Foolish Heart
The book of Proverbs repeatedly contrasts wisdom and foolishness.
Rehoboam's story demonstrates that foolishness doesn't always mean that we don't know the right thing to do.
Sometimes foolishness is knowing the right thing and refusing to do it.
Rehoboam had information. He heard both sides. He knew what the people were requesting, and he knew what the elders recommended.
But information is not the same thing as understanding.
He failed to appreciate what was really at stake.
This wasn't merely a decision about whether to increase or decrease the people's workload. Rehoboam was answering a much larger question:
What kind of king am I going to be?
Would he lead through service or intimidation?
Would he use his power to relieve burdens or increase them?
Would he listen—or would he prove that he was in charge?
When Foolishness Becomes Costly
Rehoboam chose harshness.
The people rebelled, and ten tribes separated from him. The kingdom David had helped unite and Solomon had ruled was divided.
That brings us to one of the most sobering lessons of this story:
Our decisions do not happen in a vacuum.
The greater our sphere of influence, the greater the potential consequences of both our wisdom and our foolishness.
A father's decisions affect his family.
A mother's decisions affect her children.
A pastor's decisions affect a congregation.
A business leader's decisions affect a company and the families connected to it.
A king's decisions affect a nation.
Power does not make a person wise. A title doesn't make us wise. Position doesn't make us wise. Success doesn't make us wise. And surrounding ourselves with people who agree with us certainly doesn't make us wise.
Sometimes increased influence simply increases the consequences of foolishness already present in the heart.
The Kingdom Alternative
The elders told Rehoboam that if he would serve the people, they would serve him.
Rehoboam apparently believed that serving them would diminish his authority.
But what if serving them would actually have strengthened it?
Centuries later, Jesus would teach His disciples:
Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.
That is Kingdom leadership.
Rehoboam chose domination over service.
He chose harshness over kindness.
He chose voices that appealed to pride rather than voices calling him toward humility.
And he discovered that sometimes when we desperately try to prove our strength, we actually reveal our weakness.
Scriptures Referenced
- 1 Kings 12 — Rehoboam and the division of the kingdom
- Proverbs 12:15 — The wise person listens to advice
- Proverbs 16:22 — Good sense as a fountain of life
- Proverbs 23:9 — The fool despises good sense
- Proverbs 1:7 — Fools despise wisdom and instruction
- Psalm 92:6 — The fool does not understand
- Ecclesiastes 2:14 — The wise have eyes to see while the fool walks in darkness
- Matthew 20:26 — Greatness expressed through servanthood
Reflection Questions
- Who has my ear?
- Who are the people I allow to speak into my life? Are they people of wisdom, character, experience and humility—or have I primarily surrounded myself with people who think like I think and tell me what I want to hear?
- How do I respond when someone gives me counsel I don't want to hear?
- Do I become defensive? Do I dismiss it? Do I immediately begin explaining why they're wrong? Or can I stop and ask, “Lord, is there something here I need to hear?”
- Have I given anyone permission to tell me the truth?
- Is there someone I trust enough to say, “I think you're wrong. Slow down. Take another look. I know this is what you want, but I'm not sure it's wise”?
Wisdom isn't demonstrated by how many voices we hear.
Wisdom is revealed by the voice we choose to follow.
Last week our prayer was:
“Lord, give me a heart You can teach.”
This week we add:
“Lord, give me ears willing to hear what I need to hear—even when it isn't what I want to hear.”
Coming September 1 — Wisdom Episode 4
When we return to our Wisdom journey, we'll travel into the book of Daniel and meet two fascinating men: Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar.
One possessed extraordinary power.
The other possessed extraordinary wisdom.
We'll explore what can happen when success feeds our pride—and what happens when God brings us to a place of humility.
Nebuchadnezzar eventually learned something Daniel already understood:
Wisdom, ability and influence ultimately come from God.
Join us September 1 for the next stop on our journey into wisdom.
Be blessed, my friends.
