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As we approach January 20 and the inauguration of Barak Obama as the 44th President of the United States, we might ask what are we looking for in this new leader. The Old Testament tells 
us that we should hope for a good man who is blessed with right judgment and wisdom. King David, at the very end of his long reign, used poetic language to describe the blessings that flow through a righteous leader to the people of the nation:“When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.” (2 Samuel 23:3-4)
If the ruler lacks wisdom, however, discord and dissension will spread through the land. This is what happened when David’s grandson, Rehobaum ascended to the throne forty years later. When the representatives of the people of Israel petitioned the new king to lift the heavy load of excessive taxation, Rehobaum sought advice on what to do.
He sent the people away while he conferred with his advisors. First, he consulted with the elders who said, “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.” (1 Kings 12:7) Then Rehoboam turned to his youthful companions who told him to assert his power over the people by saying, “My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.” (1 Kings 12:11)
The king rejected wise counsel and followed the misguided advice of the foolish and inexperienced companions and so peace in the land was fractured. The people rose up and civil war broke out.
May this nation be blessed with a leader filled with the wisdom of David. The wise ruler will always think of himself as the servant of the people. The foolish king always thinks that the people are there to serve him.
If the ruler lacks wisdom, however, discord and dissension will spread through the land. This is what happened when David’s grandson, Rehobaum ascended to the throne forty years later. When the representatives of the people of Israel petitioned the new king to lift the heavy load of excessive taxation, Rehobaum sought advice on what to do.
He sent the people away while he conferred with his advisors. First, he consulted with the elders who said, “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.” (1 Kings 12:7) Then Rehoboam turned to his youthful companions who told him to assert his power over the people by saying, “My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.” (1 Kings 12:11)
The king rejected wise counsel and followed the misguided advice of the foolish and inexperienced companions and so peace in the land was fractured. The people rose up and civil war broke out.
May this nation be blessed with a leader filled with the wisdom of David. The wise ruler will always think of himself as the servant of the people. The foolish king always thinks that the people are there to serve him.
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