FRIENDS WHO TELL US WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR
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 12:8 (NLT)
When Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became king. The people of Israel immediately came to him with a simple request: Your father put a heavy burden on us. Would you lighten it? It was a moment packed with potential, a crossroads for a young leader. What Rehoboam did next determined the future of the entire nation.
He made a good first move. He went to the elders who had served his father, Solomon. Even though Solomon ignored their advice, these men had experience, wisdom and perspective. They told Rehoboam, Serve these people. Speak kindly to them. If you do, they’ll be your loyal subjects for life. Wise words. But Rehoboam didn’t like what he heard.
So, he went to a second group, his peers. His friends. The guys he had grown up with. These younger advisers told him what he wanted to hear: Don’t give an inch. Be tougher than your father. Show them who’s boss. And that’s precisely what Rehoboam did.
It was a disaster. The people rebelled, the kingdom split, and Rehoboam went down in history as the king who lost half the nation, all because he listened to the wrong voices.
There’s a warning here for all of us: when you’re faced with a decision, whose voice do you trust? Wise counsel isn’t always the most flattering. It often challenges your pride or plans. But if you only surround yourself with people who tell you what you want to hear, you’re setting yourself up to fall.
We all have moments like Rehoboam’s: forks in the road, where we can choose truth or comfort. God’s wise path is never easy but leads to life and peace. The foolish path may feel good in the moment, but it brings regret.
The book of Proverbs, written by Rehoboam’s father, says, Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)
APPLICATION: Ask yourself: Who are the people shaping my decisions? Do I only listen to friends who agree with me? Seek out godly, honest advisors who love you enough to tell you the truth even when it’s hard to hear.
PRAYER: Lord, help me listen to wisdom, not just what’s easy or comfortable. Give me the humility to receive correction and the courage to follow Your truth. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?