Definition: And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 1 Kings 12:6. It’s a really important moment in King David’s reign, and it's about how he handled a difficult situation with the people of Israel. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Situation: King David was getting increasingly unpopular with his people. He had made some serious mistakes – perhaps betraying someone important, or being too boastful. The elders (religious leaders) were gathering to discuss what he should do next. What They Were Asking: They weren't asking what he should do. They were asking him a direct question: “How do you advise that I may answer this people?” Essentially, they wanted to know if he was going to address the discontent and potentially try to regain their favor. The Meaning – It’s About Leadership & Responsibility: This verse is about David's responsibility as king. He understood that with great power comes great responsibility. He was acknowledging that his actions had consequences for the people he ruled. He wasn’t ignoring the problem: The elders were recognizing a crisis – people weren’t happy with him. He needed to be proactive: They wanted to know what he would do to make things better. It was a call for David to take action and show he cared about their well-being. In short, it's a plea for David to understand the gravity of his position and show leadership. It’s a moment where he recognized that his decisions had an impact on everyone and needed to be thoughtful about how to manage those impacts. Important Context: This passage is part of a larger story in the Bible – it’s a bit confusing at first, but it sets the stage for later events involving David's rebellion. It’s a reminder that kings are accountable to their people and must act with wisdom and consideration. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you a deeper explanation of why this passage is significant?