1 Kings 12:6 kjv
And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?
1 Kings 12:6 nkjv
Then 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?"
1 Kings 12:6 niv
Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. "How would you advise me to answer these people?" he asked.
1 Kings 12:6 esv
Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, "How do you advise me to answer this people?"
1 Kings 12:6 nlt
Then King Rehoboam discussed the matter with the older men who had counseled his father, Solomon. "What is your advice?" he asked. "How should I answer these people?"
1 Kings 12 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 12:7 | They replied, "If you will be a servant to these people..." | The elder's advice, contrasted later with the young men's, highlighting wisdom's path. |
| 1 Kgs 12:8-14 | But Rehoboam rejected the advice... | Direct context of Rehoboam's later decision and its consequence. |
| 2 Chr 10:6 | King Rehoboam consulted the elders... | Parallel account, affirming the event. |
| Prov 11:14 | Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. | General wisdom on seeking advice. |
| Prov 15:22 | Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. | Reinforces the necessity and benefit of multiple counselors. |
| Prov 24:6 | For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. | Underscores the critical role of counsel in major decisions. |
| Prov 1:5 | Let the wise hear and increase in learning... | Importance of listening to wisdom. |
| Prov 4:1-2 | Hear, my sons, a father’s instruction... | Value of parental and generational wisdom. |
| Prov 12:15 | The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. | Folly of rejecting counsel contrasted with wisdom. |
| Job 12:12 | Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days. | Acknowledges the wisdom that comes with experience and age. |
| Lev 19:32 | You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man... | Command to respect elders and their wisdom. |
| Deut 17:9 | ...go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office in those days, and you shall consult them... | Example of prescribed consultation with authority and wisdom figures. |
| 2 Sam 16:23 | Now in those days the counsel of Ahithophel was as if one consulted the word of God. | Illustrates the high regard for exceptionally wise counsel. |
| Prov 19:21 | Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. | Human counsel, though sought, remains subject to divine will. |
| Isa 30:1-2 | "Woe to the rebellious children," declares the Lord, "who carry out a plan, but not mine..." | Warns against counsel not aligned with God's will. |
| 1 Sam 8:7 | "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you..." | Samuel's warning to Israel about kingship and consequences of popular demand. |
| 1 Kgs 11:11-13 | "Therefore, says the Lord, I will surely tear the kingdom from you..." | God's prophecy to Solomon due to disobedience, laying the groundwork for the kingdom's division. |
| Matt 7:24-27 | ...like a wise man who built his house on the rock... | Parable emphasizing the outcome of choosing wise over foolish actions. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all... | Source of true wisdom for decision-making. |
| Ps 106:15 | He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul. | A caution about receiving what is desired but not beneficial. |
| Isa 3:4-5 | "And I will make boys their officials, and babes shall rule over them." | Prophetic warning about incompetent leadership replacing wise governance. |
1 Kings 12 verses
1 Kings 12 6 Meaning
1 Kings 12:6 details Rehoboam's initial step in seeking counsel regarding the people's plea for relief from burdensome taxation. After the tribes, led by Jeroboam, petitioned him, Rehoboam approached the elders who had advised his father, Solomon. His query directly sought their recommendation on how to respond to the populace. This action reflects an initial inclination toward traditional wisdom, though it foreshadows a later turning point.
1 Kings 12 6 Context
The scene unfolds immediately after Solomon's death, at a pivotal moment for the united monarchy of Israel. Rehoboam, Solomon's son, ascended to the throne in Shechem, a traditional tribal gathering place, rather than Jerusalem, suggesting an awareness of the need for tribal approval. The Northern tribes, aggrieved by the oppressive taxation and forced labor imposed during Solomon's reign, approached Rehoboam, represented by Jeroboam. They sought alleviation from these burdens as a condition for their allegiance. Verse 6 marks Rehoboam's initial response to this critical challenge—he recognized the gravity of the situation and, as was customary, sought counsel from established advisors before rendering a decision. This verse sets the stage for a tragic split of the kingdom, illustrating the immediate consequences of leadership decisions rooted in rejecting experienced wisdom.
1 Kings 12 6 Word analysis
- Then King Rehoboam: Identifies the central figure and the moment after the Northern tribes' appeal. "King" emphasizes his new, pivotal authority.
- consulted (Hebrew: yā'ats, יָעַץ): This verb implies seeking deliberate and formal advice, not merely a casual conversation. It reflects a standard ancient Near Eastern practice for rulers facing crucial decisions, emphasizing the importance of counsel in governance.
- the elders: Refers to the senior advisors, men of age, experience, and likely esteemed wisdom within Solomon's court. In Israelite society, elders held significant social and political authority due to their accumulated knowledge and insight. Their role was to offer seasoned counsel.
- who had served: Indicates a history of dedicated service and familiarity with the intricacies of Solomon's administration. This highlights their practical experience in handling the kingdom's affairs.
- his father Solomon: Establishes their direct connection to the former king, known for his wisdom (1 Kgs 3:12). Their counsel would therefore carry the legacy and approach of the successful Solomon reign. "During his lifetime" stresses their active, real-time participation and intimate knowledge of Solomon's methods.
- He asked, 'How do you advise me to answer these people?': This direct question shows Rehoboam seeking practical strategy. It encapsulates the core dilemma: how to appease the discontented populace without compromising his perceived royal authority. The term "advise" is the noun form of yā'ats, reinforcing the formal request for counsel. "These people" refers specifically to the Northern tribes and their delegation led by Jeroboam, underscoring the urgent political crisis.
1 Kings 12 6 Bonus section
- Polemics/Thematic Contrast: While not directly a polemic, Rehoboam's choice to reject this specific counsel serves as a powerful illustration of the consequences of rejecting wisdom for folly, mirroring warnings found extensively in Proverbs. It underscores that even the act of seeking advice is insufficient if one does not have a listening heart or choose the counsel aligned with God's way.
- Leadership Model: This verse presents a foundational element of good leadership: seeking wise counsel. The failure to heed the good counsel, as seen subsequently, illustrates the danger of surrounding oneself with advisors but valuing self-will or inexperienced flattery above seasoned wisdom.
- Theocratic Implications: Although Rehoboam consults human advisors, the subsequent divine intervention and prophecy (1 Kgs 11:11-13) reveal that God's plan ultimately orchestrates even the outcomes of human folly. The tearing of the kingdom was divinely purposed, even if executed through human choices.
- Historical Echoes: This event highlights the precarious balance of power in ancient monarchies between king and people, and the crucial role of royal edicts and the potential for widespread rebellion.
1 Kings 12 6 Commentary
1 Kings 12:6 portrays Rehoboam’s first step in navigating the national crisis that unfolded immediately after his father Solomon's death. His act of consulting the elders who had advised Solomon demonstrates an initial adherence to traditional, established paths of leadership. These elders represented seasoned wisdom, having witnessed and participated in the glories and burdens of Solomon's reign. Their counsel would typically reflect stability, continuity, and perhaps a degree of pragmatism tempered by experience. Rehoboam's explicit question, "How do you advise me to answer these people?" reveals the high stakes of the situation and his understanding, at least at this point, that such a weighty decision required trusted counsel. The very act of seeking this advice from those who knew the workings of the kingdom signifies an acknowledgment of the critical juncture and a desire, however fleeting, for a well-considered response. This consultation stands in stark contrast to his later choice, setting up the tragic unfolding of Israel's division.