Leadership

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“But He that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matt. 23:11-12

When Rehoboam, son of Solomon was successor to the throne as King of Israel, the people came to him requesting a lighter burden than his father Solomon had imposed upon them. Rehoboam requested them to come back in three days to hear his decision.

Rehoboam sought counsel with the old men who had stood before King Solomon. These men had witnessed the wisdom of Solomon. They had seen him flourish and they had seen his mistakes. They had been through the fire and learned many things by watching the life of Solomon. There answer to Rehoboam is found in 1 Kings 12:7 and 2 Chr 10:7. “And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.”

The Bible says that Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the older men. Something about their words didn’t set well with him. He obviously didn’t like the idea of becoming a servant to the people. After all, he was a king, heir to the throne of Solomon, Israel’s wisest and most prosperous King to date. Now these men dared to suggest to him that he should be a “servant” to the people!

After turning down the counsel of the elders, Rehoboam decided to consult his friends. His buddies he had grown up with. They would understand him more and give him better advice that would suit him better. These younger men said (paraphrased): “Man! Show them whose boss. They want lesser burdens; make them wish they had never dared to ask such a thing. Show them that you are in power by making yourself meaner and tougher than your father ever thought about being. You are King now!! You have the Power! Be King over these people.”

Because the counsel of these younger men appealed to Rehoboam’s flesh, he decided to take their advice. He liked the idea of having power, and respect from the people, even a fearful, forced respect. He went to the people on the third day and gave them this answer: “…My Father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.” I Kings 12:14

When the people heard this, they rebelled. They refused to pay taxes to the house of David under such burdensome leadership any longer, even stoning to death the tax collector. Rehoboam feared for his life that he retreated into Jerusalem. Because of his unwillingness to be a servant to his people to gain their loyalty, Israel was divided. Ten of the twelve tribes made up the Northern Kingdom leaving Rehoboam with two tribes making up Judah. Israel was divided from that day to this because of a leader’s refusal to serve. Had he been willing to serve his people, the nation of Israel would have been united and grew stronger.

Jesus was the very Son of the Living God, but made Himself of no reputation to serve man to the point of dying on the cross for us. Because He came and humbled himself as a servant, He had many followers and won many hearts. Jesus himself said in Luke 22:26: “But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he that serveth.” Jesus was instructing his disciples to be a servant; to follow in his example to lead people to the love of God. Because of his willingness to serve man, the kingdom of God will be great, powerful and strong and ultimately victorious over Satan and his armies. Those who will be greatest will be willing to serve.

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