Passage
1 Kings 12:1-15 (ESV)
Praise the Lord Your God
1 Chronicles 29:10-30
Key Verse: 29:20
An Unwise Decision
Date: Dec. 7, 2024
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 12:15
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.
After Solomon had died, his son Rehoboam was about to succeed him as king. His first major decision came in response to Jeroboam’s political move to address harsh labor practices. Would he choose to become a servant leader for his people or make a power move? He chose to follow the advice of his privileged young friends rather than the advice of the mature elders and treated his people as his slaves. He also decided to make a defiant stand against his adversary, Jeroboam, to the dismay of the people of Israel. Perhaps to Jeroboam’s delight, he now could gain the support of the people. This was all to fulfill prophecy and was leading to the eventual splitting of the nation.
Rehoboam was not wise. He rejected the wise counsel of the elders and let his own pride get in the way of doing what was right. The best leaders are servants of all. Jesus demonstrated such servant leadership, even washing his disciples’ feet and giving his life to save the lost. The best leaders lead by love.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for sending your son, Jesus, who laid down his life for me. Help me to serve and love others as well.
One Word: Lead by love
