1 Kings 12 1

1 Kings 12:1 kjv

And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.

1 Kings 12:1 nkjv

And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king.

1 Kings 12:1 niv

Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king.

1 Kings 12:1 esv

Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king.

1 Kings 12:1 nlt

Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all Israel had gathered to make him king.

1 Kings 12 verses

1 Kings 12 1 Meaning

1 Kings 12:1 describes Rehoboam's journey to Shechem for his coronation, marking the crucial point where "all Israel" gathered, not simply to accept him as king, but to potentially negotiate terms for his rule. This verse sets the stage for the division of the united kingdom of Israel, as the assembly at Shechem, a traditional site for tribal gatherings and covenant renewals, anticipates a pivotal confrontation regarding the burden imposed by King Solomon's reign.

1 Kings 12 1 Context

This verse immediately follows the account of Solomon's death (1 Kgs 11:43). The final chapters of 1 Kings 11 reveal God's judgment against Solomon due to his extensive idolatry, foretelling the tearing away of his kingdom, with only one tribe (Judah) remaining for David's sake (1 Kgs 11:11-13). This divine decree is specifically linked to Jeroboam, a former overseer of Solomon's forced labor, who received a prophecy from the prophet Ahijah about ruling ten tribes of Israel (1 Kgs 11:29-39). Thus, 1 Kings 12:1 opens with the apparent successor, Rehoboam, going to Shechem, but under the ominous cloud of divine judgment and rising political dissent. The people's pre-emptive gathering at Shechem signals their intent to address their grievances with the incoming king, making the royal succession less of a smooth transition and more of a tense negotiation, driven by accumulated discontent over Solomon's policies. Shechem's historical significance as a place of tribal assembly and covenant renewal (e.g., Joshua 24) made it an appropriate, perhaps deliberate, location for "all Israel" to convene and formalize, or challenge, the transfer of power.

1 Kings 12 1 Word Analysis

• Rehoboam: The Hebrew name is Rᵉḥavʿam (רְחַבְעָם), meaning "he enlarges the people" or "the people have expanded." Ironically, his actions led to the shrinking of his direct rule. He was Solomon's son and the designated heir.
• went: The Hebrew verb is wayyēleḵ (וַיֵּלֶךְ), a perfect consecutive form, indicating a direct action following previous events. This signifies a purposeful journey taken by Rehoboam. His initiative to travel to Shechem rather than automatically assuming the throne in Jerusalem suggests an acknowledgement of the people's desire to ratify his kingship, or perhaps an attempt to assert his authority over the northern tribes.
• to Shechem: The Hebrew is šəḵemāh (שְׁכֶמָה), with the -ah suffix indicating direction "to Shechem." Shechem (שְׁכֶם, Shekem) means "shoulder" or "ridge," referring to its topographical location between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. Historically, Shechem was highly significant: it was the first place Abraham built an altar upon entering Canaan (Gen 12:6-7), a burial site for Joseph's bones (Josh 24:32), and the site where Joshua gathered the tribes of Israel for a covenant renewal (Josh 24:1-28). It also served as a royal city under Abimelech (Judg 9:6). By convening at Shechem, the tribes demonstrated a connection to their historical roots, independent of Jerusalem, which had become Solomon's capital. This move away from the established capital indicates a political challenge to the absolute authority of the Jerusalem-based Davidic dynasty.
• for all Israel had come: The Hebrew phrase kî bāʾû ḵol-Yiśrāʾēl (כִּי בָאוּ כָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל), signifies the people's collective and intentional arrival. The phrase "all Israel" refers to representatives of the northern ten tribes, not necessarily every single person. Their assembly precedes Rehoboam's arrival, showing their proactive stance in dictating the terms of succession. This indicates that succession in Israel was not purely hereditary but involved popular assent and often a covenantal element between king and people.
• to Shechem: Again, reinforcing the designated meeting point for the crucial negotiation.
• to make him king: The Hebrew phrase is ləhamlîḵ ʾōtô (לְהַמְלִיךְ אֹתוֹ), literally "to make king him." This denotes a formal act of anointing and confirming a ruler, distinct from simple hereditary succession. It highlights that the transfer of power was conditional upon popular agreement, providing the people an opportunity to present grievances and conditions for their allegiance.

1 Kings 12 1 Bonus Section

The strategic choice of Shechem over Jerusalem for this assembly reveals a significant shift in political power dynamics. It indicates that the northern tribes wished to assert their traditional independence and move away from Jerusalem-centric rule that might have alienated them under Solomon's reign, particularly due to forced labor (corvée) and taxation policies. Shechem had long been a non-Judean tribal center with its own historical and spiritual significance, distinct from the Davidic monarchy's established religious and political hub in Jerusalem. This venue amplified the tension between centralized royal authority and the rights of the constituent tribes, foreshadowing the definitive break. It shows that even kings appointed by divine providence (like the Davidic line) were expected to rule justly and maintain the covenant relationship with their people.

1 Kings 12 1 Commentary

1 Kings 12:1 serves as the prologue to the great schism of the united monarchy, framing the setting for an impending national crisis. The convergence at Shechem for Rehoboam's coronation was no mere formality but a deliberate move by "all Israel" to leverage their collective power and address their significant grievances. This gathering outside the established capital of Jerusalem underscored a desire to move away from the oppressive policies and centralization of Solomon's latter years. The verse highlights the active role of the people in the enthronement process, challenging the idea of an automatic, unquestioning succession within the Davidic line. Rehoboam's presence at Shechem signaled his implicit acknowledgment that his reign needed ratification, even if he did not fully grasp the extent of the disaffection. The stage is perfectly set for Rehoboam's momentous test of leadership and the fulfillment of God's judgment prophesied against Solomon's idolatry.