1 Kings 12 8

1 Kings 12:8 kjv

But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:

1 Kings 12:8 nkjv

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 niv

But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.

1 Kings 12:8 esv

But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him.

1 Kings 12:8 nlt

But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers.

1 Kings 12 verses

1 Kings 12 8 Meaning

1 Kings 12:8 describes King Rehoboam's crucial decision-making process at the outset of his reign. It highlights his deliberate rejection of the experienced, wise counsel offered by the elders, who had served his father Solomon. Instead, he chose to consult and ultimately follow the advice of the young men who had grown up with him, reflecting a preference for validation from his peers over time-tested wisdom. This pivotal choice sets the stage for the catastrophic division of the Israelite kingdom.

1 Kings 12 8 Context

1 Kings chapter 12 details the critical juncture following King Solomon's death, when his son Rehoboam ascended the throne. The people, representing all the tribes of Israel, approached Rehoboam at Shechem with a plea to lighten the heavy burdens—forced labor and taxation—imposed by Solomon during his reign, promising their loyalty in return. Rehoboam requested three days to consider their request. During this period, as verse 8 recounts, he sought advice from two distinct groups: first, the elders who had served his father, and then, the young men of his own generation. The elders advised him to serve the people with kind words, ensuring their perpetual loyalty. However, Rehoboam rejected this prudent counsel. This rejection, elaborated in verse 8, directly leads to his disastrous decision to threaten harsher treatment (1 Ki 12:13-14), ultimately causing the ten northern tribes to secede and establish their own kingdom under Jeroboam, thereby dividing the united monarchy of Israel into two kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south. The verse signifies not only Rehoboam's personal failing but also the divine hand at work to fulfill prophecies of judgment against Solomon's idolatry (1 Ki 11:11-13).

Historically, the elders (זְקֵנִים, z’qenim) in ancient Israel represented a vital aspect of community governance, often revered for their wisdom, experience, and adherence to tradition and the Law. They were repositories of communal memory and acted as advisors, judges, and leaders. Their counsel would typically reflect a grounded understanding of the people's well-being and covenant obligations. In contrast, the young men (יְלָדִים, yeladim), who were Rehoboam's peers, lacked life experience, governmental wisdom, and the tempering effect of responsibility. Their advice tended toward impulsiveness, ambition, and a desire to demonstrate "strength" or dominance, likely encouraging Rehoboam's ego rather than challenging it with true statesmanship. This historical contrast underscores Rehoboam's fatal choice between wisdom based on experience and arrogance based on youth.

1 Kings 12 8 Word analysis

• But he rejected: The Hebrew verb is וַיִּמְאַס (vayyimas), derived from מָאַס (ma'as), meaning "to despise," "to reject," "to spurn," or "to loathe." This is a strong and active rejection, implying not merely a dismissal but a scornful or disdainful refusal of the advice. It reveals Rehoboam's attitude—one of contempt for what the elders presented, possibly viewing it as weakness or an insult to his perceived authority. This immediate, forceful rejection highlights his proud and independent spirit.
• the advice: The Hebrew term is עֲצַת (tzat), referring to "counsel" or "advice." This term is broad, but in context, it specifically refers to the well-considered, practical counsel offered by seasoned individuals, designed to guide in a course of action.
• of the elders: The Hebrew is הַזְּקֵנִים (hazz'qenim), literally "the old ones" or "the old men." In biblical culture, "elders" signified men of maturity, experience, and authority within the community. They often held judicial, administrative, and advisory roles (Exod 3:16, Num 11:16). Their advice would be considered grounded in life wisdom, knowledge of past events, and a respect for established custom and covenant obligations. Rehoboam's disregard for this group was a radical break from societal norms and traditional wisdom.
• who had advised him: The phrase is אֲשֶׁר יְעָצֻהוּ (asher ye'atzuhu), reiterating the giving of counsel. It specifies that these elders were indeed experienced advisors who had served Solomon. The repetition underscores that Rehoboam was presented with explicit, seasoned guidance, making his rejection even more intentional.
• and consulted: The Hebrew verb is וַיִּוָּעַץ (vayyiwa'atz), the Niphal form of יָעַץ (ya'ats), meaning "he consulted," "he took counsel," or "he was advised." This shows Rehoboam still sought counsel, indicating he recognized the need for advice, but critically, he chose his source unwisely after rejecting the elders. This suggests a search for affirming counsel rather than genuinely wise counsel.
• the young men: The Hebrew is הַיְלָדִים (hayladim), which can mean "boys," "youth," or "children." It points to their lack of maturity and life experience compared to the elders. This group lacked the historical perspective, the understanding of national administration, and the humility necessary for sound governmental policy.
• who had grown up with him: The Hebrew phrase is אֲשֶׁר גָּדְלוּ אִתּוֹ (asher gadlu itto), indicating they were his childhood companions or peers. Their shared upbringing implied familiarity and comfort, but likely also a lack of objectivity and a propensity for flattery. They may have viewed kingship through a lens of personal power and self-aggrandizement, mirroring Rehoboam's own undeveloped understanding of leadership.
• and were serving him: The Hebrew is אֲשֶׁר עֹמְדִים לְפָנָיו (asher om'dim l'fanav), meaning "who stood before him," signifying personal attendants or officials in his court. Their position implied loyalty to the king himself, potentially prioritizing his personal whims over the kingdom's well-being. They were not disinterested parties but had a vested interest in pleasing Rehoboam and advancing their own standing through him.

Words-group analysis:

• "But he rejected the advice of the elders who had advised him": This phrase encapsulates Rehoboam's core mistake: a deliberate and forceful dismissal of sound, time-tested wisdom and experience. It is a moment of profound pride and stubbornness, highlighting his unwillingness to consider perspectives that did not align with his own desire for unchecked power. This act directly contravenes the principle of humility and wisdom found throughout the biblical proverbs, leading inevitably to downfall.
• "and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him": This signifies his preference for validation and flattery over truth. By turning to those who were his peers and likely his flatterers, Rehoboam showed a susceptibility to ego and a misunderstanding of true leadership, which requires genuine concern for the welfare of the people rather than just maintaining personal power or status. This choice illustrates a fundamental error in judgment: seeking counsel that confirms one's own biases rather than counsel that provides objective, even challenging, wisdom.

1 Kings 12 8 Bonus section

• Theocratic Implications: The elders' advice, in many ways, represented a continuation of the spirit of leadership envisioned in the Law: a ruler should not exalt himself above his brothers (Deut 17:20), and should remember he is to serve the people, guided by divine wisdom. Rehoboam's rejection of this was a move toward autocratic, un-covenantal rule, contributing to Israel's eventual decline.
• Succession Crisis Template: This incident established a tragic pattern for future leadership in both Israel and Judah, where subsequent kings often chose their own flawed counsel or that of flatterers over wise and godly guidance, leading to repeated cycles of disobedience and divine judgment.
• Contrasting Advice: The advice of the elders ("Be a servant to this people... and they will be your servants forever," 1 Ki 12:7) reflects a principle of servant leadership, echoing what Jesus would later teach (Mk 10:43-45). The young men's advice ("My little finger is thicker than my father's loins... I will add to your yoke," 1 Ki 12:10-11) represents a harsh, tyrannical approach to power, emphasizing dominance and severity. This verse captures Rehoboam's deliberate choice for the latter.
• Personal Vulnerability: Beyond mere arrogance, Rehoboam likely harbored insecurities, perhaps feeling he had big shoes to fill after his wise and magnificent father, Solomon. Overcompensating with severity, as advised by the young men, might have appeared as a path to strength, demonstrating that he would not be easily manipulated. This perceived strength, however, proved to be the ultimate weakness leading to his loss of control.

1 Kings 12 8 Commentary

1 Kings 12:8 is a poignant depiction of a ruler's pivotal error in judgment, serving as a cautionary tale within biblical narrative. Rehoboam's rejection of the elders' advice to serve the people with kindness (which promised enduring loyalty) in favor of his youthful peers' aggressive counsel (to oppress them further) directly led to the fracturing of Israel. This choice reveals Rehoboam's deep-seated pride and inexperience; he feared being perceived as weak compared to his illustrious father, Solomon. The young men, perhaps desiring personal advancement and power within the new regime, advocated a policy of iron-fisted rule that resonated with Rehoboam's desire to assert his authority.

This verse demonstrates a critical theological principle: while human choices have immediate consequences, God remains sovereign over history. Though Rehoboam freely made this terrible decision, verse 15 of this chapter explicitly states, "So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by the LORD that he might fulfill his word, which the LORD spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat." Rehoboam's self-will, unchecked by wisdom, inadvertently served as the instrument of divine judgment against the house of Solomon for his apostasy (1 Ki 11:11-13). This illustrates that even human folly and sin can be incorporated into God's larger redemptive and punitive plans, fulfilling His sovereign purposes. The event stands as a stark warning about the perils of pride, the allure of flattery, and the tragic consequences of forsaking time-honored wisdom for youthful arrogance in leadership.

Examples:

• In leadership: Choosing team members based on friendship or shared experiences rather than competence, integrity, or experience.
• Personal decisions: Ignoring advice from older, more experienced mentors for the opinions of friends who reinforce one's current desires, regardless of long-term consequences.