"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." – 2 Chronicles 10:4

 Today's Scripture Reading (December 26, 2022): 2 Chronicles 10

American humorist Sam Levenson once said, "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 Levinson's sage advice. We seem to believe that we have a right to speak whatever is on our minds, but the better part of wisdom has always been our ability to remain silent and hold our tongue.

Scholars seem divided on what these words of the people really mean. Most appear to believe that the complaint against the reign of Solomon was just a pretext for the rebellion that was to follow. And we have to admit, based on the biblical record, that there might have been a cause for the complaint. While Solomon is known for his wisdom, he was also a great builder. His buildings may have included the Temple, but Solomon also built a grand palace for himself, a palace for his wife, the Pharaoh's daughter, and the 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 built by Solomon about which we know nothing. He made shields and drinking vessels made of gold, many again without any real use other than to showcase his wealth. None of this could have been accomplished without the labor of Solomon's subjects. And a project without a purpose always seems to be harder to complete.

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 good case in point. So, it is not impossible to believe that there was a cause behind the charge Rehoboam had to deal with after his father's death.

On Rehoboam's part, wisdom might have demanded a slow approach in dealing with the people's complaints. An appropriate response might have been that together they could continue to build a prosperous nation, building on the foundation laid by David and built on by his father, Solomon. 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 then to make things worse, they actually said that response out loud.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 11