08/31/2026
Listening to Good or Bad Counsel
August 31, 2026
Have you ever heard of Rehoboam? He was one of Solomon’s sons. He had a choice. Would he listen to wise counsel? Who would he listen to?
There was an older and wiser crowd. But there were also younger men whose counsel he sought as well.
By the way, do you ever get conflicting counsel from well-intentioned people? Family? Friends? Church members? Job associates? Who do you listen to?
If you are not familiar with this biblical narrative, please follow it closely.
1. First of all, look at the background setting with the blessings of Solomon the King! (2 Chron. 9:22ff) - “And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart.... And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.”
You get the picture. Imagine hanging around King Solomon. His wisdom exceeded human knowledge. No doubt, those who rubbed shoulders with him throughout his forty-year reign became wise as well.
What does that tell you? In Proverbs 13:20, we read: “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
Bottom line: Are you walking with wise men?
2. Next, watch King Rehoboam, who was faced with a decision! (2 Chron. 10:1–5) - “And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt. And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee. And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.”
Much is given, much is required. Rehoboam was tested. Give him some credit; at least he waited three days before he gave an answer.
Do you take time to weigh over a matter or pray over a matter? That is a good practice. Next, let’s see how Rehoboam responds to this situation.
3. Follow Rehoboam’s method of making a decision as he sought counsel! (2 Chron. 10:6–7) - “And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.”
Think about it. These older men had been influenced by the wisdom of Solomon. Therefore, Rehoboam was wise in asking them for their opinion.
Did he follow their counsel? Would you?
Honestly, many times we have made up our minds about what we want to do in a matter. Basically, we just want to hear others agree with us—no matter whether it is God’s will or not.
That is especially true if it costs us something; i.e., money, time, resources, friendships, relationships, or jobs.
Go ahead and admit it—we do.
4. Observe who Rehoboam listened to and whose counsel he followed! (2 Chron. 10:8–11) - “But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him. And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us? And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.”
What a mistake! Don’t listen to them, Rehoboam!!
Foolish Rehoboam stepped into a pit and paid the price. When he should have taken wise counsel from those who had been mentored by his father, King Solomon, he failed to listen to the wisest counsel!
5. Sadly, Rehoboam could have been blessed, but instead he missed out on an opportunity because of his spiritual dullness! (2 Chron. 10:12–15) - “So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day. And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.”
What a valuable lesson we can learn from others’ choices and mistakes.
How did it end with Rehoboam? Here’s how.
“And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.... So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there.... And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.” (2 Chron. 12:1, 13–14)
Obviously, it did not end well with Rehoboam. He did not use godly wisdom, nor did he seek it out. Instead, he leaned on his own understanding.
So, after reading this devotion, has our Lord revealed any “bad decisions,” or have you been influenced by some unwise counsel?
Can you make it right? Now is the time.
Dr. Randy Reese | A Daily Devotional
