March 2

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“And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him; and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but 1 will chastise you with scorpions”―1 Kings 12:13,14.
ONE of Solomon’s own proverbs, if taken to heart by his son, might have saved the entire situation: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Prov. 15:1). Another proverb might have given added guidance: “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom” (Prov. 13:10). Rehoboam lost the greater part of his kingdom because of refusing the good advice of the elders and following the foolish counsel of the young men. Puffed up with pride, he met the reasonable demands of the people with “grievous words,” instead of conciliatory speech, which might have bound their hearts to him and saved from much strife and bitterness. It is a lesson that we are all very slow to learn. We so readily forget that “the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (James 1:20). Many family, business, church, and national troubles might be avoided were this lesson taken to heart.
“So many hearts are breaking,
And many more are aching,
To hear the tender word.
God make me kind!
For myself am learning
That my sad heart is yearning
For some sweet word to heal my hurt.
O Lord, do make me kind.
God, make me kind!
So many hearts are needing
The balm to stop the bleeding
That my kind words can bring.
God, make me kind!
For I myself am learning
The cure in some one’s keeping
He should impart to my sick heart.
O Lord, do make me kind.”
—Duncan McNeil.