John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:6
And King Rehoboam consulted with the old men that stood before Solomon his father, while he yet lived ,.... Which was very prudently done; for as these were men in years, and had been his father's counsellors, from whom, do doubt, they had learnt much wisdom, being often in cabinet council with him, they were capable of giving him the best advice: and said, how do you advise, that I may answer this people ? what answer would you advise me to give to them, and in what manner? read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 12:1-15
Solomon had 1000 wives and concubines, yet we read but of one son he had to bear up his name, and he a fool. It is said (Hos. 4:10), They shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase. Sin is a bad way of building up a family. Rehoboam was the son of the wisest of men, yet did not inherit his father's wisdom, and then it stood him in little stead to inherit his father's throne. Neither wisdom nor grace runs in the blood. Solomon came to the crown very young, yet he was then a wise man.... read more