When Solomon died, the nation of Israel divided into Northern Israel and Southern Judah, separate Kingdoms. Rehoboam “consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived” (1 Kings 12:6 NKJV) and they advised him to serve the people. “But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him” (1 Kings 12:8 NKJV). Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men, listened to “the young men” and promised greater government oppression: “my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges” (1 Kings 12:11 NKJV). There were good reasons why older men knew more about the future than younger men. Younger men held sway over such a decision, and Southern Judah drifted into ungodly oblivion.
This is Johnny Polk, with “Words of Wisdom” brought to you by the Oneida church of Christ.
