“Ahaziah was forty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah the granddaughter of Omri. He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother advised him to do wickedly. Therefore he did evil in the sight of the Lord, like the house of Ahab; for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction.”
2 Chronicles 22:2-4
As we read 1 and 2 Kings and Chronicles we learn a lot about the behavior of the kings of Israel. One of the things that shows up a lot is their tendency to seek counsel before they take action. This is wise and Godly. Proverbs 11:4 says, “Where there is no guidance, a
people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is
safety.”
Very often God notes the kind of counselors different kings. One of
the first examples is Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. Solomon dies and
Israel expects to appoint Rehoboam as their next king. Before they
Do, the people of Israel appeal to him to reduce the heavy taxation
which his father Solomon had placed upon them. If he would, they
promised him their loyalty. Rehoboam called Solomon’s advisors (old
men) and asked their counsel. They told him to listen to the people and reduce the taxation. That is not what Rehoboam wanted to hear so he convened a group of young counselors who told him to show how strong he was and to raise taxes, make it even harder on the
people. Delighted to hear that advice he dis as they said and the people of Israel split into two parts.
A second example is King Joash. Beginning his rule at seven years of age he followed the commands of God. Scripture says “Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada
the priest.” God gave him a wise advisor and things went well. Jehoiada died, however, and God’s word says, “After the death of Jehoiada the leaders of Judah came and bowed down to the king.
And the king listened to them.” There was a vacuum and people rushed into fill it – being able to whisper in the king’s ear was very powerful. When that happened, scripture tells us King Joash
transgressed the commandments of the Lord when he moved him from a Godly advisor to worldly ones. God told Joash, “Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.”
A third example is Ahaziah, an evil king. Scripture tells us why. “His mother advised him to do wickedly”. Listening to one’s own mother can be sinful if she does not honor God in her advice. The
Bible says that his counselors were his destruction.
What can we learn? God’s word is clear. We are to be careful who we listen to. Obtaining Godly counsel is a wise thing. “A wise man is he who listens to counsel.” (Proverbs 12:15) At the same time we are
warned about listening to people who do not honor God’s Word. “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm”. (Proverbs 13:20) That is the message of Psalm 1:1. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly”. Listening to people who do not honor God, pray and seek God’s face will bring disastrous consequences. The Bible says “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety”. Seek counsel, that is wise but make sure you listen to
Godly counsel. Be careful little ears what you hear!