At this point what God had forewarned Solomon about begins to happen. After his death, the kingdom he had so proudly and carefully built began to unravel almost immediately. Trouble had already been brewing while Solomon was alive around the rebellious Jeroboam, who fled to Egypt. As soon as Rehoboam, Solomon's son, came to the throne, he called a nationwide assembly of the people, a sort of gigantic town hall meeting.

Rehoboam undoubtedly intended to build up his power and prestige by this meeting, but the opposite occurred. Stirred up by Jeroboam, who, seeing an opportunity, had returned from Egypt, the people began to complain about the onerous burdens they had borne under Rehoboam's father, Solomon. Recall that Solomon was involved in an almost continuous building campaign that must have cost dearly in terms of labor and money.

What happens next is a classic case of mismanagement and feckless leadership. Rehoboam sends the people away for three days to consult with his advisors, a move that probably encourages the people to think he is really listening to their concerns. First, he consults with his father's experienced old advisors, who advise a conciliatory response---a stance that might build some confidence among the people he rules.

Then Rehoboam turns to his young palace cronies for advice. Their advice sounds like it's coming from young toughs who have never carried a bit of responsibility in their lives. They bluster, "Tell them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier'" (vv. 10-11).

With amazing recklessness, Rehoboam repeats the young toughs' words verbatim. If his father, despite his faults, has been known for subtlety and wisdom, Rehoboam is the biblical poster child for stupidity and unwise leadership. We get the idea that Solomon has done little or nothing to prepare his son for leadership and that he has passed on none of the wisdom for which he was famous.

The result is that Jeroboam, the perennial rebel, sees---and tries to seize---his opportunity. He does manage to wrest away the northern tribes, and the kingdom that has been under David and Solomon is forever broken in two. About the only wise thing Rehoboam does in his life is to listen to the Lord through the prophet Shemaiah: "Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing" (v. 24). And all the young toughs must have melted into the countryside.

Rehoboam had a view of kingship and leadership that, unfortunately, isn't uncommon. Maybe you've met up with it: I'm the boss! God's vision for leadership is that leaders serve God by seeing to the best interests of the community they are charged to lead. Servant leadership, not bossing, is God's way, and Jesus himself is the prime example.