Old People

But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers. [1 Kings 12.8]

Even though we are told it was the LORD's doing (1 Kings 12.15), Rehoboam's decision to go with his younger advisors' advice clearly caused a huge division in Israel.

It was because of Solomon's unfaithfulness to God that all this took place. Jeroboam's revolt and Rehoboam's bad decision were both tied directly to Solomon's spiritual adultery. So, in fact, it was the LORD's doing that all this transpired.

The irony of Rehoboam's bad handling of the kingdom is that as the son of the wisest man to ever live, he made a decision that went against everything Solomon's knowledge spoke against. Wisdom as it relates to age goes back as far as Job:

Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old. [Job 12.12]

The point is, any wisdom a young man may have, is only enhanced as he ages. And, if a young man and and an old man differ in assessment on a matter, the Bible indicates that the old man's opinion is going to be the wise choice to follow.

Peter said it like this:

In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” [1 Peter 5.5]

There is ample reason to listen to old people!

Father, help me to have a Biblical view of old people in my life and listen to what they say!