7Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, and he said, "How do you advise me to answer these people?" 8But 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 12:6 & 8

King Rehoboam grew up in the household of his father, Solomon. Solomon was so wise that when the Queen of Sheba visited, she said to the king:

Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! (1 Kings 10:8)

Young Rehoboam was no doubt exposed to his father’s wisdom. When Solomon died, and he was faced with an important decision, the young king sought the counsel of those who “stood continually before Solomon.” The counsel they gave Rehoboam was wise, but Rehoboam rejected their counsel. Instead, he asked and followed the counsel of his young, inexperienced, and as it turned out, unwise peers. This led to the downfall of his kingdom!

There is a great lesson to be learned from the contrasting counsel that came from the two groups of advisers, but that isn’t the point of this meditation. I want to challenge both young and old with this: First, why do the young reject the counsel of their elders? Second, why are the older surprised when they do?

Young people, be wise and not foolish when it comes to whose counsel you follow. Listen to your elders.

Old people, continue to offer wise counsel, but do not be surprised when it is dismissed. This pattern is not new! We who are older did it when we were younger as well.

Oh Lord, grant us wisdom and a dose of humility.