1 Kings 11 12

1 Kings 11:12 kjv

Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

1 Kings 11:12 nkjv

Nevertheless I will not do it in your days, for the sake of your father David; I will tear it out of the hand of your son.

1 Kings 11:12 niv

Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son.

1 Kings 11:12 esv

Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son.

1 Kings 11:12 nlt

But for the sake of your father, David, I will not do this while you are still alive. I will take the kingdom away from your son.

1 Kings 11 verses

1 Kings 11 12 Meaning

The verse conveys God's declaration of judgment against King Solomon due to his unfaithfulness and idolatry, specifying that the full extent of this judgment—the tearing away of the kingdom—would not occur during Solomon's lifetime. Instead, the division of the kingdom, where only one tribe (Judah) would remain with his son, would be deferred out of divine commitment to the unconditional covenant made with Solomon's father, King David, and due to God's special choice of Jerusalem as His city.

1 Kings 11 12 Context

1 Kings 11:12 appears within God's direct confrontation with King Solomon regarding his grievous apostasy. Previously, Solomon had amassed a large number of foreign wives (1 Kgs 11:1-3), who led his heart astray to serve other gods, specifically Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Molech, and he built high places for their worship (1 Kgs 11:4-8). This directly violated God's commands (Ex 34:15-16, Deut 17:16-17). Consequently, God expressed His anger (1 Kgs 11:9-10) and declared through an angelic messenger His intention to "tear the kingdom from you" (1 Kgs 11:11). Verse 12 serves as a critical qualification and partial mitigation of this harsh judgment. It immediately precedes further details of the extent of the judgment (1 Kgs 11:13), clarifying that only "one tribe" would remain with Solomon's dynasty. Historically and culturally, this judgment resonates with ancient Near Eastern covenant curses but is uniquely tempered by the LORD's faithfulness to His earlier, unconditional promise to David. This act of judgment also directly sets the stage for the political and spiritual division of the united monarchy after Solomon's death, leading to the split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, the latter retaining the Davidic dynasty.

1 Kings 11 12 Word analysis

• However / But (אַךְ - 'akh): This Hebrew particle introduces a strong contrast or limitation. It signifies a significant exception to the previously stated absolute judgment. While God "will surely tear the kingdom," however, there's a crucial modification.
• I will not tear away the whole kingdom: The divine judgment is deliberately partial. Solomon's full forfeiture of the kingdom, which his sin warranted, is restrained. This indicates God's justice is met with mercy and fidelity to past commitments.
• I will give one tribe: The specific limitation of the tearing away. While the vast majority of the tribes will be separated from Solomon's son, one tribe will remain. This "one tribe" primarily refers to Judah, which encompassed the royal city of Jerusalem, and by implication, parts of Benjamin, which housed significant portions of Jerusalem, or was intrinsically linked. This continuity of one tribe ensures the Davidic line would still reign over a remnant.
• to your son: The direct recipient of the truncated kingdom is Rehoboam, Solomon's son and successor. This highlights the intergenerational consequences of sin; Solomon’s actions directly affect his heir’s rule and the destiny of his dynasty. Yet, the judgment is deferred from Solomon’s immediate reign.
• for the sake of David my servant (בַּעֲבוּר דָּוִד עַבְדִּי - ba'avur David 'avdi): This is a pivotal mitigating factor. "For the sake of" indicates that God's covenant loyalty to David is the primary reason for His restraint. David is called "my servant," a high honorific emphasizing his obedient relationship with God and his role as God's chosen king, to whom eternal dynasty was promised (2 Sam 7:12-16; Ps 89:3-4). God's commitment to His promise is unwavering, even when the subsequent generations fail.
• and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen (וּבַעֲבוּר יְרוּשָׁלִַם אֲשֶׁר בָּחָרְתִּי - uva'avur Yerushalaim asher bakharti): This is the second crucial mitigating factor. Jerusalem was chosen by God as the place where His Name would dwell (1 Kgs 8:16-19) and where the Temple, the center of Israel's worship, was located. God's divine election of Jerusalem ensures its preservation and continuity as the capital of the surviving portion of the Davidic kingdom. This underlines Jerusalem's unique sacred status in God's redemptive plan.

1 Kings 11 12 Bonus section

The concept presented in 1 Kings 11:12 provides an early, profound example of the interplay between the conditional aspects of the covenant (requiring human obedience for blessings, violated by Solomon) and the unconditional aspects of God's promises (such as the Davidic covenant, ensuring the lineage would not be fully cut off). While Solomon directly failed the conditional covenant requirements (Deut 17), God upheld His unilateral pledge to David, ensuring a remnant remained. This act is not simply leniency but a strategic upholding of His overarching plan, leading eventually to the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant in Jesus Christ, the eternal King from the tribe of Judah who would reign over God's true kingdom (Luke 1:32-33). The preservation of Jerusalem and the Davidic line under Rehoboam ensured the continuation of the spiritual and political entities vital for future salvation history.

1 Kings 11 12 Commentary

1 Kings 11:12 is a powerful statement about the nature of divine justice tempered by steadfast love and covenant faithfulness. Solomon's idolatry, a profound betrayal of the Mosaic covenant and his special calling, justly provoked God's wrath, warranting a complete severance of his kingdom. However, God, being true to His unconditional promises, exercises mercy. The deferral of the kingdom's tearing away until his son's reign, and the preservation of one tribe under the Davidic line, demonstrates God's unwavering fidelity to the covenant He made with David. This divine action preserves the foundational elements for the future: the Davidic dynasty, through which the Messiah would eventually come, and Jerusalem, the chosen city. Thus, the verse illustrates a core tension in biblical theology: the severe consequences of human sin contrasting with the steadfastness of God's sovereign plan and covenant loyalty, even in the face of widespread apostasy. It highlights that God's redemptive purposes are not thwarted by human failure but advance despite it, albeit with severe disciplinary consequences for those who rebel.