DATE: Friday 3 July 2026
TOPIC: “THINKING YOU ARE TOO SMART TO BE CORRECTED – 3”
TEXT: 1 Kings 12:1-20
MEMORY VERSE: “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20.
Insight #3: Rehoboam had the option of choosing wisely, but chose wrongly because of pride and arrogance that dwelt inside of him.
Insight #4: His many bad choices (bad company, rejection of wise counsel and implementation of wrong counsel) were influenced by the wrong company.
One English proverb says: “birds of the same feather flock together.” People of like minds walk together. Every person finds themselves in the company of those with whom they are comfortable and who think like them. King Rehoboam rejected the company and counsel of the old wise counselors of his father and sought the company and counsel of his contemporaries who thought like him.
King Rehoboam already had a mind that contradicted the idea of those older men who served his father but needed validation for the idea in his mind which he got from his peers. This is relatable for many teenagers and young people. It is important not to look for teachers who would say what your itching ears want to hear. It is not beneficial and has huge consequences.
Lesson 3: beware of who your counselors and companions are. prov. 13:20, 1 cor. 15:33, prov.27:17, eccl. 4:9-10, prov. 18:24.
A wise man once said, “if you walk with five wise people, you become the sixth, if you walk with five foolish people, you become the sixth. Choose your circle carefully.” Rehoboam chose to walk with foolish company and he became a fool! He acted foolishly. We all are products of influences. We are influenced more by the kind of company we keep. A company with the proud and arrogant will produce another proud fellow. Counsel from proud people cannot produce a humble person. Walk with the wise!
PRAYER: Father, separate me from company that can ruin me. Connect me with helpful and resourceful people for my lifting in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.