Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Kings 12:6

"And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?" — 1 Kings 12:6 (ASV)

The old men who stood before his father Solomon—Perhaps these were “the princes” of 1 Kings 4:2. Solomon placed great value on good advisers (Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 24:6).