1 Kings 12:6 Meaning: The Counsel Rehoboam Asked For and Refused
King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, “What counsel do you give me to answer these people?”
And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?
And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?
And king Rehoboam consulteth with the elders who have been standing in the presence of Solomon his father, in his being alive, saying, `How are ye counselling to answer this people?'
And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, How do ye advise to return answer to this people?
Meaning in one sentence
King Rehoboam sought advice from Solomon's elders in 1 Kings 12:6. See why he asked and why he later rejected their wise counsel.
Context
This verse sits at a turning point in Israel’s history. Solomon has died, and his son Rehoboam has gone to Shechem to be crowned king. The people, led by Jeroboam, come with a request: lighten the heavy yoke your father put on us, and we will serve you. Rehoboam asks for three days to consider. In verse 6, he does the sensible thing: he turns to the older men who had stood before Solomon, the seasoned advisers who knew statecraft and had watched the kingdom for decades. Their answer will come in the next verse, and it is wise. But the story does not end there.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words give this verse its weight. The first is ya'ats (in the Niphal form here, va/'yi/'va/'tsu), to take counsel, to deliberate together. This is not a quick opinion poll; it is a serious, face-to-face seeking of wisdom. Rehoboam did not rush. He approached these men with the same verb used for consulting God.
The second is zaqen, translated ‘old men’ or ‘elders.’ The root means ‘beard’ or ‘old age,’ but in Israel, an elder carried authority earned through years of faithful service. These men had not merely aged; they had stood before a king known for wisdom, learning how to lead.
Third is the phrase omedim et-penei, ‘standing before the presence of.’ To stand before a king was to serve him, to be in his trusted circle. These elders had been tested. They knew what hard decisions looked like. Rehoboam went to the right people. The question was whether he would really listen.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christian readers across traditions have seen in this verse a clear picture of what wise counsel looks like, and how easily it is rejected. Matthew Henry notes that Rehoboam ‘consulted with the old men’ which was ‘prudent’ because they had learned wisdom from Solomon. Gill agrees: these men were ‘capable of giving him the best advice.’ The elders themselves, as the next verse shows, gave an answer that called for humility: serve the people, and they will serve you. Many traditions point out that Rehoboam’s failure was not in seeking counsel, but in refusing to follow it when it asked something hard of him. The lesson holds for anyone in leadership, or anyone who asks for advice and then does what they wanted all along.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think Rehoboam’s mistake was consulting the young men instead of the elders. But in this verse, he does consult the elders. The error was not whom he asked first, it was that he forsook their counsel when it challenged his pride. He heard wisdom but wanted validation. In fact, the elders gave him a path to peace, and he turned from it.
Living This Out
This week, you will face at least one decision that matters. It might be about work, family, or a relationship. Before you choose, ask yourself: am I ready to hear what I don’t want to hear? Seek out someone older or more experienced, not just a friend who will agree. But do not stop there. When their advice asks humility of you, take it. Rehoboam asked good people and then walked away. Do not let that be your story.
Main takeaway: Seeking wise counsel means nothing if we are not willing to follow it, especially when it calls for humility.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
King Rehoboam needed help making a big decision so he asked some very old and wise men what to do. That was smart. But then he did not listen to them. That was a big mistake.
For ages 9, 12
Rehoboam did the right thing here: he went to the experienced elders who had served his father Solomon. They gave him great advice: be kind and serve the people, and they will love you. But Rehoboam thought he knew better and listened to younger friends who told him to be tough. So he hurt the people and lost half the kingdom. The lesson is that asking for advice is only half the job. The harder part is actually taking it, especially when it asks you to be humble.
Questions People Ask
Why did Rehoboam consult the elders who served Solomon?
He wanted their wisdom because they had years of experience advising a wise king. They knew how to handle the people's requests and could give him seasoned insight. Rehoboam hoped their counsel would help him respond wisely.
What advice did the elders give Rehoboam?
They told him to be a servant to the people that day, to speak good words to them, and to lighten their yoke. If he did, they would serve him forever. It was a call to humble leadership, not showy strength.
Why did Rehoboam reject the elders' counsel?
He listened to younger friends who grew up with him. They encouraged him to answer roughly and threaten even heavier burdens. His pride and fear of looking weak won out over the elders' wise, humble advice.
Does this verse teach that we should only seek advice from older people?
The verse highlights the value of experienced, tested wisdom. The elders had served faithfully and knew what they were talking about. But the key point is not their age, it is that Rehoboam asked good counsel and then refused it. We are called to seek wisdom wherever it comes from, and then to have the humility to follow it.
How does this verse connect to the rest of the Bible?
The theme of seeking and heeding wise counsel appears throughout Proverbs (11:14, 15:22). Job says 'with aged men is wisdom' (Job 12:12). Rehoboam's failure illustrates what happens when we reject such wisdom: the kingdom splits, and the consequences last for generations.
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