But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:
But he rejected the advice of the older men who had counseled him, and instead asked for advice from the young men who had grown up with him and served as his attendants.
This verse shows how the king chose to ignore wise counsel from experienced advisors and instead listened to his inexperienced friends.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative, King Rehoboam had just succeeded his father Solomon as king of Israel after Solomon's death, and the people were seeking relief from the heavy taxes and forced labor imposed during Solomon's reign. Rehoboam consulted two groups for advice: the experienced elders who had served his father and offered wise, conciliatory counsel, and his own young peers who grew up with him and suggested a harsher approach. His decision to reject the elders' advice and follow the young men led to a rebellion that divided the kingdom into Israel and Judah.
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