IGNORING EXPERT ADVICE

PROCLAMATION

“And King Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, ‘How do you advise that I answer this people?’  And they spake unto him … but he forsook the counsel of the old men … and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him …”  1 Kings 12:6-10 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  It came to pass that Rehoboam went to Shechem to be made king of Israel.  When Jeroboam, who had fled from Solomon to Egypt, heard this he went to Rehoboam to ask if he would lighten the heavy yoke that Solomon had placed upon them in return for their service to him. (1 Kings 12:1-4)  Rehoboam told them to depart for three days while he considered their request.  Then he consulted with the old men who were advisors to his father Solomon.  He forsook their advice and consulted with the young men that he grew up with who advised him to make their yoke even heavier. (1 Kings 12:5-15)  When the people of Israel saw that the king had hardened his heart towards them, they wanted nothing to do with him.  King Rehoboam sent Adoram his work force leader to speak to the people and they stoned him to death.  This led to Rehoboam making a hasty departure and fleeing to Jerusalem to save his own life. (1 Kings 12:18)  Israel rebelled against the house of David and they made Jeroboam the king over all of Israel.  Once in Jerusalem Rehoboam gathered an army of the men of Judah and Benjamin to fight against Israel.  However, the word of God came to Shemaiah, the man of God, and he told Rehoboam not to fight with their brothers in Israel. (1 Kings 12:19-24)  In order to prevent the people from returning to The Lord, Jeroboam set up two idol calves of gold, one in Bethel and the other in Dan.  He installed his own priests, which were not the sons of Levi, and ordained a large feast sacrificing calves to the idols. (1 Kings 12:26-33)

APPLICATION

Why should one consult with experts to get their opinion if you are going to ignore their advice?  Getting a second opinion can be justified if the source is also an expert.  If you are only going to listen to the advice of your non-expert friends, why consult with an expert in the first place?  Following bad advice will usually make a bad situation much worse.  It is better to pray and trust in The Lord than to put your confidence in your friend. (Psalm 118:8)