“Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.” – 1 Kings 12:4

Today’s Scripture Reading (October 8, 2016): 1 Kings 12

American humorist Sam Levenson once commented that “it's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it.” Ah, but that is easier said than done, which is probably why it takes a wise man to follow through on the advice. We seem to believe that we have a right to speak, but the better part of wisdom has always been our ability to remain silent – our capacity to hold our tongue.

Scholars seem divided on what the words of the people really meant. Most appear to believe that the complaint against the reign of Solomon was just pretext for the rebellion that was to follow. But we have to admit, based on the biblical record, that there might have been cause for the complaint. While Solomon is known for his wisdom, he was also a builder. His building may have started with the Temple, but Solomon also built a grand palace for himself, a palace for his wife, the Pharaoh’s daughter, and a Palace of the Forest of Lebanon - a huge building for which there seemed to be no real purpose. There are probably many more minor projects of Solomon about which we know nothing. He made shields and drinking vessels of gold, many again without any real use other than to showcase his wealth. And none of this could have been accomplished without the labor of the people. And work without a purpose always seems to be harder to accomplish.

And while we remember Solomon for being wise, there is a lot of evidence that his wisdom often made little connection with his actions. Specifically, Solomon seemed to play fast and loose with the commands of God – his marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter being a case in point. So it is not impossible to believe that there was cause behind the charge of the people.

On Rehoboam’s part, wisdom might have demanded a slow approach in dealing with the people’s complaint. The appropriate response might have been that together they could continue to build a prosperous nation building on the foundation laid by David. But if Rehoboam possessed any wisdom, we see little evidence of it. Instead, he and his advisors thought up a stupid response to the charge against Solomon – and they said it.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 13