1 Kings 12:2 kjv
And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;)
1 Kings 12:2 nkjv
So it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard it (he was still in Egypt, for he had fled from the presence of King Solomon and had been dwelling in Egypt ),
1 Kings 12:2 niv
When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard this (he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from Egypt.
1 Kings 12:2 esv
And as soon as Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), then Jeroboam returned from Egypt.
1 Kings 12:2 nlt
When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of this, he returned from Egypt, for he had fled to Egypt to escape from King Solomon.
1 Kings 12 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 11:26-28 | Jeroboam the son of Nebat...rebelled against the king. | Jeroboam's initial rebellion and capability. |
| 1 Ki 11:29-39 | Ahijah found Jeroboam... "I will tear the kingdom from Solomon..." | Prophecy of kingdom division to Jeroboam. |
| 1 Ki 11:40 | Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt... | Reason for Jeroboam's flight. |
| 1 Ki 11:43 | Solomon slept with his fathers...and Rehoboam his son reigned... | Solomon's death, allowing Jeroboam's return. |
| 1 Ki 12:1 | Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king. | Context of Rehoboam's succession and gathering. |
| 1 Ki 12:3 | They sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came... | Israel's summons for Jeroboam to return. |
| 1 Ki 12:15 | So the king did not listen to the people; for it was a turn of affairs brought about by the Lord... | God's sovereign hand in the division. |
| 1 Ki 14:7-16 | ...I will bring disaster on the house of Jeroboam... | God's later judgment on Jeroboam for idolatry. |
| Exo 1:8-14 | Now there arose a new king...who did not know Joseph... | Egypt as a place of refuge becoming bondage. |
| Hos 11:1 | When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. | God calling His people out of Egypt. |
| Isa 31:1-3 | Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help... | Warning against relying on Egypt for help. |
| Psa 33:10-11 | The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations...His counsel stands forever... | God's sovereignty over human plans. |
| Pro 19:21 | Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. | Divine purpose overriding human intentions. |
| Isa 46:9-10 | ...I am God, and there is no other...declaring the end from the beginning... | God's pre-knowledge and control of events. |
| Dan 4:17 | ...the Most High rules the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom he will... | God's ultimate authority over kingdoms. |
| Eph 1:11 | ...Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will... | God's overarching purpose in all affairs. |
| Gen 12:10 | There was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there... | Egypt as a temporary refuge in scarcity. |
| Gen 46:6-7 | Jacob and all his offspring with him came into Egypt. | Going to Egypt for preservation (Joseph's time). |
| Deut 28:15 | But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God... | Covenant curses, including kingdom division, for disobedience. |
| 2 Sam 7:12-16 | ...I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever... | Davidic covenant of an everlasting dynasty. |
| Psa 89:3-4 | I have made a covenant with my chosen one...I will establish your offspring forever... | Covenant promise to David. |
| Rom 9:14-16 | So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. | God's sovereignty in choosing and raising up. |
1 Kings 12 verses
1 Kings 12 2 Meaning
This verse details the pivotal return of Jeroboam from Egypt. Upon hearing of King Solomon's death, Jeroboam, who had previously fled to Egypt to escape Solomon's attempt on his life, recognized the opportune moment. His return was a critical step in the unfolding of God's prophetic word concerning the division of the united kingdom of Israel, marking the transition from Solomon's oppressive latter reign to a new era of separate monarchies.
1 Kings 12 2 Context
This verse immediately follows the death of King Solomon and the ascension of his son Rehoboam. The preceding chapter, 1 Kings 11, detailed Solomon's decline into idolatry, his acquisition of many foreign wives, and his eventual punishment foreseen by God: the tearing away of ten tribes from his son's rule, leaving only one tribe for the house of David. Within this narrative, the prophet Ahijah delivered a specific prophecy to Jeroboam, indicating God's intention to give him ten tribes as king. This led to Solomon's attempt to kill Jeroboam, prompting Jeroboam's flight to Egypt, where he remained until news of Solomon's death reached him. Thus, 1 Kings 12:2 marks a critical turning point where the circumstances allow for the fulfillment of God's decree, initiating the historical division of the Israelite monarchy into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah.
1 Kings 12 2 Word analysis
- And it came to pass: A common Hebrew transitional phrase, signifying a new development in the narrative, often with divine oversight or fulfillment of prior events. It signals the immediate succession of significant events.
- when Jeroboam: יָרָבְעָם (Yarob'am) – The man designated by prophecy to lead a divided kingdom. His name possibly means "the people contend" or "he increases the people," reflecting the strife and growth under his leadership.
- the son of Nebat: Identifies his lineage. Nebat (נְבָט - Nvat) means "look" or "behold," but Jeroboam's actions defined him more than his father's name.
- heard of it,: שָׁמַע (sham'a) – To hear, but also to heed or understand. This implies Jeroboam received intelligence and recognized the critical opportunity presented by Solomon's death. The "it" refers to the news of Solomon's death (1 Ki 11:43) and likely the subsequent preparations for Rehoboam's coronation in Shechem.
- for he was yet in Egypt,: מִצְרַיִם (Mitzrayim) – Egypt had been a refuge, but also a land of oppression in Israel's history. This detail confirms his strategic location and his safety until this opportune moment.
- whither he had fled: בָּרַח (barakh) – To flee, often implying an urgent or hasty escape. This underscores the immediate and deadly threat Solomon posed to Jeroboam's life.
- from the presence of King Solomon,: מִפְּנֵי שְׁלֹמֹה הַמֶּלֶךְ (mip'ney Sh'lomoh ha'Melekh) – Literally "from the face of King Solomon." This emphasizes the direct personal threat and Solomon's resolve to eliminate a rival, a man already marked by divine favor.
- that Jeroboam returned: וַיָּשָׁב (vayyashav) – And he returned. This action is deliberate and decisive. His return is the critical step in initiating the next phase of God's plan. It highlights God's ability to orchestrate events and use various human actors, even those seeking refuge from a king's wrath, to accomplish His will.
- out of Egypt.: Leaving Egypt symbolized a new beginning, much like the original Exodus from bondage, though in this case, it ironically led to national division rather than full unity. Pharaoh Shishak had provided him asylum, possibly to destabilize the Israelite kingdom.
1 Kings 12 2 Bonus section
- Divine Orchestration: The fact that Jeroboam was "yet in Egypt" indicates God's protective hand, keeping him safe from Solomon until the precise moment of succession, thereby preventing human interference from completely derailing the divine decree. This foreshadows that God often preserves His chosen instruments in seemingly unlikely places until their time comes.
- Echoes of Exodus: Jeroboam's return "out of Egypt" has subtle echoes of the Exodus. While Israel came out of Egypt to form a unified nation under God, Jeroboam's coming out of Egypt ultimately contributes to Israel's division, highlighting the complex and often ironic unfolding of divine purposes in history.
- Pharaoh's Role: Ancient near eastern historical records suggest Pharaoh Shishak (Sheshonk I) harbored Jeroboam possibly as a political pawn, seeing an opportunity to destabilize Israel, a strong rival in the region under Solomon. This aligns with biblical narrative where God often uses foreign powers to achieve His aims, even if those powers have their own motivations.
1 Kings 12 2 Commentary
1 Kings 12:2 serves as a pivotal narrative hinge, marking the divine orchestration of prophecy's fulfillment. Jeroboam's strategic return from Egyptian exile, timed precisely with Solomon's death and Rehoboam's insecure succession, demonstrates God's sovereignty over human rulers and political landscapes. Despite Solomon's attempts to thwart God's declared purpose by seeking to kill Jeroboam, God preserved His chosen instrument. Jeroboam's hearing of the news and subsequent action were not mere coincidence; they were divinely aligned events setting the stage for the kingdom's division, a direct consequence of Solomon's unfaithfulness. The narrative showcases God's justice in removing power from a disobedient lineage, yet doing so through a human agent whom He had appointed, even using Egypt as a temporary sanctuary. This verse underscores that God's plan unfolds precisely, irrespective of human resistance.