After King Solomon’s death, his son, Rehoboam takes the throne. Upon taking to the throne, he is approached by Jereboam and the people of the land, asking for a break per some difficult labor conditions. Here is the passage:

“Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. . . . 3 So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: 4 “Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.

. . .

(1) Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders . . . (2) But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him (3) and consulted the young men . . .”
~ 1 Kings 12:2+

~ I put numbers in the passage above to point out the time sequence. First Rehoboam consults some elders. Then he rejects their advice. Then he consults his younger friends.

~ You will find the situation quite often in the pastorate or many a counseling situation, where a person approaches you for counsel and advice, because they are seemingly conflicted. But oddly enough, as you talk to them, you find out that they have already made up their minds about the matter and that they have already decided on a course of action.

~ So why then ask for advice if you have already made up your mind?

I think Rehoboam had already made up his mind. He went to his friends for further advice simply because he wanted people to affirm what he had already planned out.