And the king answered the people harshly, and forsaking the counsel that the old men had given him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's striking here is that Solomon's son, Rehoboam, doesn't just ignore his elders; he answers the people harshly, and then forsakes their wise counsel. This tells us his harsh response wasn't a mistake in judgment, but a deliberate choice fueled by pride, setting him on a disastrous path.
And the king answered the people harshly, and forsaking the counsel that the old men had given him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Rehoboam has just ascended to the throne, and the unified kingdom of Israel is seeking assurance that he will lighten their heavy burdens. After seeking counsel from both the young men he grew up with and the older, more experienced advisors, Rehoboam dismisses the people's plea with a harsh decree, setting the stage for the kingdom's division. This direct rejection of wisdom and compassion immediately leads to rebellion.
Ever said something in anger you instantly regretted? King Rehoboam did, and it fractured a nation. His harsh response wasn't just rude; it was a disaster.
Rehoboam's Reckless Reply
King Rehoboam had a choice: listen to the elders who advised gentle leadership or the young men who pushed for a harsh stance. He chose the latter. His response to the people was deliberately cruel and dismissive. This wasn't a minor slip-up; it was a deliberate rejection of wisdom.
The Impact of Impulsive Leadership
Rehoboam's harsh words weren't just about that moment. They were the spark that ignited rebellion. By ignoring counsel and opting for aggression, he set the stage for the division of the entire kingdom of Israel. This shows how crucial it is for leaders, and really all of us, to think before we speak, especially when others are looking to us for guidance.
Wisdom often comes from experience. Rehoboam threw away seasoned advice for the sake of pride. What happens when we dismiss the voices of those who've walked the path before us?
The Value of Experienced Advice
The elders represented wisdom gained through years of navigating the complexities of ruling. Their counsel was to be gentle, to serve the people. This was the path of stability and unity.
Rejecting Wisdom for Arrogance
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Rehoboam, however, chose to "forsake" this counsel. He wasn't just disagreeing; he was actively abandoning the wisdom offered. This suggests arrogance and an unwillingness to learn. His choice to listen instead to his younger, less experienced peers shows a dangerous immaturity. True strength in leadership (and life) often lies in humility and the willingness to heed wise counsel, even when it's not what we initially want to hear.
Understand the original words
ʿēṣâ · Hebrew Noun
A set of informed opinions or guidance provided to assist in decision-making. Biblically, seeking godly counsel is emphasized as a mark of wisdom, while rejecting it often leads to ruin.
Rehoboam's harshness and rejection of wise counsel weren't just a bad leadership moment; they were the direct catalyst for the division of the united Israelite kingdom, a seismic political and spiritual event.
c. 970 BC
Death of King Solomon
Solomon, known for his wisdom and building the First Temple, dies, leaving a complex legacy and a vast kingdom.
c. 970 BC
Accession of Rehoboam
Solomon's son, Rehoboam, inherits the throne, but his legitimacy is immediately challenged by popular discontent.
c. 970 BC
The People Petition for Relief
Representatives of the northern tribes gather at Shechem to seek relief from the heavy burdens of Solomon's reign.
c. 970 BC
Rehoboam Consults Advisors
Rehoboam first seeks counsel from the older advisors who served his father Solomon, who advise leniency.
c. 970 BC— this verse
Rehoboam Rejects Wise Counsel
Rehoboam instead follows the rash advice of his younger peers, responding to the people with harsh threats.
c. 970 BC
The Kingdom Divides
The northern tribes, angered by Rehoboam's response, rebel and establish their own kingdom, splitting the united monarchy.
This proverb directly contrasts Rehoboam's harsh response, showing that a gentle answer defuses anger, something Rehoboam desperately needed.
Ecclesiastes 10:2This verse speaks about the imbalance of wisdom in a leader, highlighting how a wise heart guides the right hand (actions) while a foolish one is easily swayed, mirroring Rehoboam's poor decision-making.
2 Chronicles 10:14This parallel account in Chronicles emphasizes that Rehoboam followed the advice of his young friends over the counsel of elders, directly reinforcing the point of his harshness and poor judgment.
Daniel 5:18-20Like Rehoboam, Belshazzar was a king who acted with arrogance and pride, refusing wise counsel and ultimately leading to his downfall, illustrating the destructive path of a haughty ruler.
What's striking here is that Solomon's son, Rehoboam, doesn't just ignore his elders; he answers the people harshly, and then forsakes their wise counsel. This tells us his harsh response wasn't a mistake in judgment, but a deliberate choice fueled by pride, setting him on a disastrous path.
King Rehoboam has just ascended to the throne, and the unified kingdom of Israel is seeking assurance that he will lighten their heavy burdens. After seeking counsel from both the young men he grew up with and the older, more experienced advisors, Rehoboam dismisses the people's plea with a harsh decree, setting the stage for the kingdom's division. This direct rejection of wisdom and compassion immediately leads to rebellion.
King Rehoboam has just ascended to the throne, and the unified kingdom of Israel is seeking assurance that he will lighten their heavy burdens. After seeking counsel from both the young men he grew up with and the older, more experienced advisors, Rehoboam dismisses the people's plea with a harsh decree, setting the stage for the kingdom's division. This direct rejection of wisdom and compassion immediately leads to rebellion.
"And the king answered the people harshly, and forsaking the counsel that the old men had given him," — What's striking here is that Solomon's son, Rehoboam, doesn't just ignore his elders; he answers the people harshly, and then forsakes their wise counsel. This tells us his harsh response wasn't…
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Last reviewed October 2026