The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 263

become tributary to the great river of His purpose, " He mll.keth the WTath of man to praise Him." The highest example is the sacrifice of Jesus, man's iniquity wo1·king out the world's redemption. " Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands," &c. (Acts ii. 23). The fin!!.l. ve1i.fication of this truth belongs to the time when, out of all the ein and strife and sorrow of the ages, God shall bring forth the glorious triumph of His gracious sovereignty, the "gathering together into one of all things in Christ.''-W. Vere. 13, 14.-Rehoboam'a Folly. Such madness is scarcely credible in the son of Solomon. These two kings present a remarkable contrast. Solomon a.t twenty years of age is the wisest man of his times, Rehoboam his son, at forty, is unfit to rule himself or his people. Wisdom is not by descent, but is the gift of God. Describe the scene in the chapter : the visit of Rehoboam to Shechem, probably with a view to conciliate the ten tribes ; the complaint of the people ; the two councils of the king; the maddening effect of his reply. The study of small and foolish men is advantageous, as well as the study of the great and wise, that by their follies we may be warned. Rehoboam's faults lie on the surface, as would be natural in so shallow a character as his. A careful study of the chapter reveals to us the following. I. REHOBOAM'S FEEBLENESS OF CHARACTER. We should expect of one who SUC· ceeded to the throne in the prime of his life some clear notions of the policy he would plll'sue. Brought up in a com·t to which the rulers of other peoples came (eh. x. 24), over which the wisest king of that age ruled, he was rich in natural advantages. He could also have discovered for himself the condition of the people, their causes of complaint, &c. Had he given himself to such thought he would have been prepared for prompt and resolute action on his accession. Instead of this he seems helpless ; tlll'Ils now to these and now to those for counsel, and has not even enough wisdom to weigh the value of advice when it is given. "Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel," is a law of far-reaching application. Amongst the virtues we should inculcate in OW' children is that of sober self-reliance. It may be fostered in the home with safety and advantage. Trust a child with something which he is free to use or abuse in order to test him, and develop in him this grace. Probably Rehoboam had been brought up in the harem, and so had the heart of a child, with the years of a man. All gifts must be exercise,l to increase their value. " A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways,'' and an example of this lies before us. II. REHOBOAM's CONTEMPT OF EXPERIENCE. He consulted the old advisers of Solomon, it is true, but clearly for the look of the thing only. Directly after speaking with "the responsible ministers of the crown,'' he tlll'ned to the courtiers, who were far less able to advise in such a crisis. Job says, "With the ancients ie wisdom ; and in length of days understanding." This is not always true. A man may be old without being wise, he may go through mo.ny experiences without being experienced. Still, other things being equal, a long study of affn.irs gives knowledge o.nd discretion. It would clearly be so, with men chosen by the wise Solomon. Besides, those who have already won their honolll's are more dis- interested than those who a.re ambitiously seeking to win them ; and those whose reputations are high are more careful to guard themselves against folly than those "'.'ho have no reputation to lose. [Found on such principles the duties of submis- sion to authority, of reverence to age, &c., which are the essentials of a happy home and of a peaceful society.] III. REHOBOAM'S RESORT TO THE FOOLISH. The answer of the young men showed their folly. That such a spirit should exist is a proof that in the later yea.re of Solomon the people a.bout him had sadly deteriorated. (1) These were the boon companions of Rehoboam, and knowing his haughty temper they flattered him to the top of his bent. (2) They were courtiers brought up a.mid the luxm·ies of the splendid reign just ended, and knew little or nothing of the condition of the people. For these o.nd other reasons they were of all others the most unfit to give counsel 266 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. [oB. XU. 1-24,