Wisdom, Governance, and the Search for Fulfillment

What events so enraged the majority of Israel’s tribes that they chose to secede from the Davidic monarchy? In 1 Kings 12, Jeroboam and a group of Israelites confronted the recently anointed monarch.

“Your father made our yoke hard; but now, lighten the hard labor imposed by your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.” (1 Kings 12.4 NASB)

I read this passage for a long time without fully comprehending its significance. Solomon used corvée (kor-VAY) labor to build extravagant structures. Many of these people chosen to work were foreigners discovered during David’s disastrous census (2 Chronicles 2.17). Solomon is portrayed more favorably in the Book of Chronicles than in the Book of Kings. However, in 1 Kings 5.13, Solomon “conscripted forced laborers from all Israel” (NASB, emphasis mine). 

Is there a modern equivalent of corvée labor? Military service is mandatory in some modern nations. Some countries that do this include Israel, South Korea, and Switzerland. However, the focus of corvée labor is on infrastructure projects. It would be a more fitting analogy if the Civilian Conservation Corps of the New Deal had mandated rather than recruited young men. I live in an area with state parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Photographs document their hard work cutting trees and building park facilities.

As a result, the populace informed Rehoboam that they did not appreciate the yoke his father had imposed upon them. Rehoboam told the people he would respond to their complaint in three days (1 Kings 12.5). Within those three days, Rehoboam consulted his older advisors. They told Rehoboam to lift the burdens placed on the people by his father. Rehoboam also consulted his young advisors. Their advice was different. 

“And the young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, ‘This is what you should say to this people who spoke to you, saying: ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us!’ You should speak this way to them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! Now then, my father loaded you with a heavy yoke; yet I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions!’” (1 Kings 12.10-11 NASB)

To the ruin of the united monarchy of Israel, Rehoboam went to his peers’ advice. Of course, given the sins of Solomon in going after the gods of his many wives (see 1 Kings 11.4–8), we know that this was the determination of God to tear away the kingdom from him and give it to his servant, Jeroboam (1 Kings 11.11–13). 1 Kings 12.15 clearly states that Rehoboam did not listen to the people “because it was a turn of events from the Lord, in order to establish His word which the Lord spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.” (NASB) 

On the one hand, it is hard to feel sympathy for the Israelites. God had warned them that such a scenario was possible when they clamored for a king. Note 1 Samuel 8.10ff: 

“So Samuel spoke all the words of the Lord to the people who had asked him for a king. And he said, “This will be the practice of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and put them in his chariots for himself and among his horsemen, and they will run before his chariots. He will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to do his plowing and to gather in his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will also take your daughters and use them as perfumers, cooks, and bakers…He will also take your male servants and your female servants, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and use them for his work…Then you will cry out on that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you on that day.” (NASB) 

Despite hearing this, the people said, “No, but there shall be a king over us, so that we also may be like all the nations, and our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” (1 Samuel 8.19-20). God told Samuel to let the people have what they wanted. 

On the other hand, we have to wonder how the wisest man, other than the Son of Man, who ever lived, could so choose to burden his people as to make them grumble and complain. After all, Solomon imparted some wisdom about rulers to his son in Proverbs. For example, in Proverbs 28.16, Solomon says, “A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, But a person who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.” (NASB) It is a paradox that someone can be both wise and demonstrate a lack of understanding. Yet, this describes Solomon well. 

The greatest tragedy is how Solomon felt after considering everything he achieved using corvée labor. Note Ecclesiastes 2.4-6 and 11:

I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; I made gardens and parks for myself, and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. (NASB)

So I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold, all was futility and striving after wind, and there was no benefit under the sun. (NASB)

Thus, he built things thinking it would bring him a sense of satisfaction, only to realize that after he was gone, everything he had made would fall into the hands of another (see Ecclesiastes 2.18). The reality made him realize that this, too, was vanity. Solomon proves that having wisdom on a personal level doesn’t always translate seamlessly to governance. Making decisions impacting an entire nation can vastly differ from making personal decisions or offering advice to individuals. 

The story of Solomon and the division of the kingdom that followed is a timeless cautionary tale about the difficulties of leadership, the perils of absolute power, and the universal human yearning for meaning and purpose. We may find it hard to relate to the specifics of Solomon’s rule and the events leading to Israel’s division, but the underlying themes remain relevant to our time. No matter how experienced or knowledgeable they are, leaders can still make mistakes. Pursuing one’s ambition can frequently result in undesirable outcomes without moderation and self-reflection. 

This story serves as a reminder for those in authoritative roles to listen to sound advice and stay in touch with the wants and feelings of the people they govern. For everyone else, it highlights the futility of placing one’s hope for happiness in material things and the fleeting nature of life itself. It’s a sobering reminder that pursuing lasting happiness should take priority over acquiring worldly power and prestige.