As the son of Solomon, Rehoboam succeeded to his father’s throne; but it was not going to be an easy ride. Jeroboam returned from exile and urged the king to lighten the load of harsh labour which Solomon had placed on the people of Israel.
Rehoboam asked advice from his father’s councillors and also of the young men he had grown up with. The councillors advocated leniency; the young men heavier burdens. Rehoboam followed the advice of the young men which finally resulted in a split in the kingdom, the rebels being led by Jeroboam who sinned greatly in the sight of God.
Many times experience pays off and the advice of the elderly can be the wiser path.