There are no other Kings as famous as David and Solomon in the bible. These two were also regarded in Islam as prophets.

In the Quran; King David was known as 'Dawud', and King Solomon was referred to as 'Sulaimān ibn Dāwūd' (meaning: Solomon son of David).

The reign of King David was marked with ceaseless wars and with divine assistant the Israelites were able to overcome their enemies and conquer more territories thereby expanding the kingdom.

After the death of King David, Solomon ascended the throne. His reign was marked with peace and virtually there wasn't any war to be fought. For there was peace and tranquility in the land.

Neighbouring Kingdoms came to regard the kingdom of Israel as a powerful force. As we all know King Solomon was blessed by God with wisdom and he became the wisest and the richest king to ever rule Israel. His wisdom made him to earn the respect of kings in the neighboring kingdoms.

During the latter part of King Solomon's reign, he backslided from the way of the Lord by going to worship and make scarifices to foreign gods.

The main reasons for the fall of King Solomon was caused by the number of foreign wives and concubines he had. He went after women from various pagan countries like Moab, Ammon, Edom, and he also married a daughter of Pharaoh (King of Egypt).

It can be said that Solomon held the record for the highest number of wives and concubines for any biblical king. As it was recorded in 1 kings chapter 11 verse 22; that he had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines.

God had earlier warned the Israelites that they shouldn't marry from foreign countries; wives or spouses, because he knew it would turn their heart from worshipping Him to start worshipping idols.

Solomon neglected this ancient warning and due to old age he succumbed to the wishes of his wives and thereby did a lot of abomination in the sights of the Lord.

This made the Lord angry that he made those neighboring kings who were formerly Solomon friends and allies to despise him, and he also promised to cut ten tribes of Israel from Solomon's kingdom and hand it over to Jeroboam. Leaving Solomon's descendants with only the kingdom of Judah due to the promised he made to Solomon's father; King David.

After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam was made king. But just as God had promised to cut the ten tribes of Israel from the hand of Solomon lineage it came to pass.

But what made Rehoboam loose the control of the ten tribes is what prompted me to write this article.

When Rehoboam was made king, the elders of Israel came to him to ask if he will continue the harsh treatment and heavy yoke his father put on them.

He told the assembly to await his reply in three days time. Then Rehoboam went out to seek advice from elders who served during his father's reign.

The advice of the elders was recorded in 1 Kings chapter 12 vs 7

They replied, “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.”

Meaning he should listen to the voice of the people so he can earn their respect.

But the foolish and stubborn young King Rehoboam decided to discard the advice of the elders by going over to consult his young officers.

He asked them, “What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”

10 The young men who had grown up with him replied, “Tell these people who have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter’-tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist.

11 My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’

1 Kings 12: 9-11

When three days was over the people of Israel gathered to meet Rehoboam to hear his response, but instead of Rehoboam listening to the advice of his father's elders he choose to heed to the advice made by his own young officers.

When the children of his Israel heard this, they rebel against Rehoboam and made Jeroboam their King.

In conclusion

Many youths are like Rehoboam, who neglected wise advice and thereby led to their fall.

Also you have to be careful of who you seek advice from. Many people will advise you to do something not because the want the best for you but because they want to see you fall.

Happy Sunday

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