12. So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king had directed, saying, “Come back to me the third day.” 13.  Then the king answered them roughly. King Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders, 14. and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!” (2 Chronicles 10:12-14)

It is not difficult to find advice. People are always ready to tell you what you should do and what you should not do. People are always ready to tell you how you should do anything. With so much free advice floating around, there must be some type of litmus test to determine what advice we will accept. When it comes to accepting advice, two questions must be asked – “Does this advice match God’s Word?” and “Does this person have my best interests in mind?”

Rehoboam became the king of Israel upon the death of his father, Solomon. Shortly after assuming the throne, Rehoboam was approached by Jeroboam, a former servant of Solomon. Jon behalf of the people, Jeroboam made one request of the new king. His request was to, “lighten the burden and rule less harshly than your father did and we will serve you.” Rehoboam asked counsel from two groups. The advice of the elders, his father’s servants, was to serve the people and in return they would serve the king. The advice of the younger men, those Rehoboam grew up with, was to make the lives of the people more difficult. He chose the counsel of the younger.

Throughout the course of our lives we will receive conflicting advice. Our challenge will be to listen to the advice that is biblical and leads us to a decision that honors God. We should not allow pride or peer pressure to get in the way of the sound counsel God has made available through the wisdom of others. Back to our story. Refusal to accept wise counsel can bring about unintended and unforeseen consequences. Jeroboam returned for the king’s answer. Hearing the load and burden would be made more oppressive under the rule of Rehoboam, Jeroboam rebelled, and the nation of Israel was divided. Rehoboam remained king over Judah and Jeroboam became leader of the kingdom of Israel. Advice is good, but wise and godly advice is best. Be careful who you let in your ear.