1Ki 12:7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.

Solomon raised taxes in order to build the temple of God and his palaces. It was a heavy yoke on the people. Now that the projects were completed, the citizens were hoping for the taxes to be lowered. They called on Rehoboam to lighten their burden and they would serve him. It is a win-win proposal. Rehoboam consulted the old men who had served his father. They advised him to listen to the voice of the people (v.7). It was a most wise advice, and if Rehoboam had pursued this method, he would have won their hearts, and they would serve him cheerfully. Unfortunately, he chose to listen to the haughty young men who grew up with him. They advised him against listening to those folks but instead increased their burden. Rehoboam lacked the simple common sense about ruling. He didn’t take their threat seriously. They were saying: “Do this and we will serve you.” It implies if he will not listen, they will not serve him. The old men counselled Rehoboam to "serve" the people and "speak good words to them" is a sound advice for all leaders to follow even today. We can learn from their golden advice to be good leaders.                    1. Be a servant unto this people and serve them - It means, be a servant leader. Many leaders would not even lift up their hands to pick a piece of rubbish. Many expect to be served. Politicians today know they have to serve the people; they exist because of the people who voted them into the office. Those who are not serving their voters will be voted out by them. Our Lord sets the example as a servant: “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). The Son of God came in the form of a servant and served. He even gave His life to His people. He told His disciples: “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15). That statement was made after He washed His disciples’ feet. Good leaders serve! 2. Answer them – It means, to engage them. When folks have complaints, good leaders listen and engage them; they don’t ignore them or brush those complaints aside. Everyone wants to think his opinion is good and important. And, good leaders value feedback and suggestions. If top management does not listen to the complaints of its workers, it will lose the good workers. Who wants to work with a company that is out of touch with its employees? Yet, companies continue to make this mistake of not engaging their workers. Good leaders listen and engage the people: “In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Philippians 2:3b, 4). 3. Speak good words to them – It means, be respectful; don’t talk down to them. There are bosses who belittle their workers with their words. Rehoboam spoke harshly to his people; he lost them as a result. People want leaders who treat them with respect. Solomon wrote: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). Good leaders are good communicators: “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6). Rehoboam goes down in history as the leader who rejected wise counsel. The price he paid for his foolishness – his kingdom reduced to only two tribes out of twelve in Israel. Foolishness comes with a price tag. Let us listen to sound advice.