The story of Rehoboam coming to power is a classic case of one who lacked wisdom and went looking for wisdom in the wrong place. “How should he treat the people of Israel?” He was “in charge” now; the trouble was that he wanted everyone to know that “he was in charge now!”
When he asked those who were older (and wiser), their advice for the treatment of the people was simple, “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever” (1 Kings 12:7). When he asked his peers who were younger (and “less wiser”), their advice was treacherous, “My little finger will be thicker…I will add to your yoke…I will chastise you with scourges” (12:10-11).
Unfortunately, for Rehoboam and the people, he followed the wrong advice. True wisdom comes from God (James 1:5) and can be learned from a multitude of counselors (Prov. 11:14; 24:6). Eliphaz asked Job an interesting question, “Have you heard the counsel of God? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?” (Job. 15:8). When facing decisions, where do you find wisdom?