I Kings 12:7
‘They replied, “If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.”’
Rehoboam had been made king after Solomon’s death. The northern tribes had come and asked that he lighten their load and in turn they would pledge their allegiance to him. He asked for three days to think about it. Today’s verse is the advice given him by Solomon’s elders.
The wealth of Solomon’s kingdom was immense. Too much so. By comparison, David’s was quite humble. Solomon was drunk with his skills to acquire. While wealth is a sign of God’s blessing, he didn’t temper his ability to generate it.
God warned Israel against asking for a king, for he would take their sons and their daughters, a portion of their money and their fields (I Samuel 8). Part of Solomon’s wealth was taken from his people. This is the reason they came to Rehoboam to ask for leniency.
I Timothy 6:17 says, “Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.” Don’t pursue the blessing, but the Blesser. Solomon was out of control.
Jesus came to this world as a poor person. He never sought worldly wealth. He taught a very different message, to serve others. About riches, He warned against placing our hearts there. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”, (Matthew 6:21).
Before we want riches, we want our daily bread. That’s normal. A few verses later, Jesus says, “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing?” He came unworried about meeting His needs. He wants us to trust as well.
Where are we to place our hearts? With Him and serving others. Those are to two commandments, to love God and others. Today’s verse has the people asking for mercy. The advisors tell the king to respond in kindness.
I do credit the king for asking for time. That’s wisdom. He asks his advisors, also wisdom. Unfortunately, he wasn’t raised with any sort of temperance, but complete indulgence and extracting much from the people. He does pause to ask.
Jesus message of serving others was counter cultural. The pharisees were wealthy and powerful. It’s as if serving others wasn’t in their thoughts. Jesus came and tore down their way of living and exposed it to the people. They rejoiced.
The apostles incorporated it into the church. Acts 6:1 has one segment of the church complaining that their widows were being overlooked. The Widows and orphans are the least powerful ones in society. The leadership appoints helpers to meet this need. Jesus switched the priorities and they are following that.
We also shouldn’t be obsessed with getting our needs met, but to give to others. God will provide our daily bread, while we give to others. Be kind as today’s passage suggests.
Lord, may we error in showing kindness. Thank You that You provide for our needs. What an amazing path we are on. Thank You.