A foolish leader, a foolish husband?

Rehoboam ignored the advice of the elders

and instead listened to the counsel of the young men

who had grown up with him:

"Tell them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist.

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 12:10-11).

When I meditate on this passage,

I think that a foolish leader not only increases the burden

on his followers but also rules them harshly.

In a household, a foolish husband who is the head of the family

treats his wife harshly rather than loving her

(Colossians 3:19).

He responds to his wife's words with harsh words

instead of gentle answers, provoking her to anger

(Proverbs 15:1, NIV).