1 Kings 12 24

1 Kings 12:24 kjv

Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.

1 Kings 12:24 nkjv

'Thus says the LORD: "You shall not go up nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel. Let every man return to his house, for this thing is from Me." ' " Therefore they obeyed the word of the LORD, and turned back, according to the word of the LORD.

1 Kings 12:24 niv

'This is what the LORD says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.'?" So they obeyed the word of the LORD and went home again, as the LORD had ordered.

1 Kings 12:24 esv

'Thus says the LORD, You shall not go up or fight against your relatives the people of Israel. Every man return to his home, for this thing is from me.'" So they listened to the word of the LORD and went home again, according to the word of the LORD.

1 Kings 12:24 nlt

'This is what the LORD says: Do not fight against your relatives, the Israelites. Go back home, for what has happened is my doing!'" So they obeyed the message of the LORD and went home, as the LORD had commanded.

1 Kings 12 verses

1 Kings 12 24 Meaning

1 Kings 12:24 communicates a direct divine command preventing civil war between the newly separated kingdoms of Judah and Israel. Through His prophet, the LORD forbids Rehoboam and his forces from engaging in battle against the northern tribes, explaining that the division of the kingdom is entirely His doing. The verse highlights the immediate obedience of the people and their leaders to God's word, emphasizing divine sovereignty over human affairs, even in times of political upheaval and judgment.

1 Kings 12 24 Context

1 Kings 12 describes the momentous split of the united kingdom of Israel after Solomon's reign. Upon Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne. The people, led by Jeroboam, approached Rehoboam, requesting a lighter burden than Solomon had imposed. Rehoboam, rejecting the counsel of the older, wiser advisors and following the advice of his youthful companions, declared he would increase their burden. This foolish and harsh response directly triggered the rebellion of ten tribes who proclaimed, "What portion have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse!" (1 Ki 12:16). These ten tribes then made Jeroboam their king, forming the northern kingdom of Israel, while only the tribe of Judah and a part of Benjamin remained loyal to Rehoboam, forming the southern kingdom of Judah.

Enraged by the rebellion, Rehoboam gathered an army of 180,000 chosen warriors from Judah and Benjamin to march against Israel and reclaim the lost territory by force. It is at this critical juncture, on the brink of a bloody civil war, that 1 Kings 12:24 interjects. The verse delivers God's immediate and decisive intervention through the prophet Shemaiah (mentioned in 1 Ki 12:22-23), commanding Rehoboam's forces to desist. This intervention highlights that the division was not merely a political accident or a result of human error, but a divinely orchestrated consequence of Solomon's apostasy, as previously prophesied by the prophet Ahijah (1 Ki 11:29-39).

1 Kings 12 24 Word analysis

• Thus says the LORD: Hebrew Ko amar Yahweh (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה). This is a foundational prophetic formula, used hundreds of times in the Hebrew Bible. It signifies that the following words are a direct, authoritative declaration from the sovereign God, not human opinion or counsel. It immediately establishes the supreme weight and finality of the message.

• You shall not go up: Hebrew lo ta'alu (לֹא תַעֲלוּ). An emphatic prohibition using the negative particle "lo" with the imperfect verb. The phrase "go up" (root עָלָה, alah) in this context often denotes ascending for battle, implying the commencement of military action. It's a direct command to halt any advancement.

• or fight against: Hebrew v'lo tilaḥamu (וְלֹא תִּלָּחֲמוּ). An additional and specific prohibition of combat (root לָחַם, laḥam). It leaves no ambiguity; any form of military engagement is forbidden.

• your brothers: Hebrew ʾaḥēyḵem (אֲחֵיכֶם). This term emphasizes the deep kinship between the people of Judah and Israel. Despite their political separation and animosity, they remained ethnically and historically connected, descended from Jacob (Israel). Attacking one's "brother" carries a strong negative connotation, suggesting fratricide on a national scale. It implies that a political disagreement should not escalate to internal bloodshed among God's chosen people.

• the people of Israel: This explicitly names the opposing party, the newly formed northern kingdom under Jeroboam. It distinguishes them from the people of Judah and Benjamin who were loyal to Rehoboam.

• Return every man to his house: A command for dispersal and retreat. It signals the end of the military gathering and the return to civilian life. "To his house" implies not only peace but a complete abandonment of the military objective.

• for this thing is from Me: Hebrew ki me'itti nihyeh hadavar hazzeh (כִּי מֵאִתִּי נִהְיָה הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה). This is the crucial theological statement of the verse. God explicitly takes responsibility for the kingdom's division. "From Me" (מֵאִתִּי, me'itti) highlights His divine agency and ultimate control. "This thing" (haddavar hazzeh) refers to the entire schism and Jeroboam's rule. This declaration confirms that the kingdom's division was not a historical accident, but a direct fulfillment of God's prophetic word and His judgment on Solomon's idolatry.

• So they heeded the word of the LORD: Hebrew vayyishme'u et-dvar Yahweh (וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶת דְּבַר יְהוָה). This phrase indicates an immediate and complete act of obedience. The "word of the LORD" (דְּבַר יְהוָה, dvar Yahweh) carries immense authority. This response stands in stark contrast to Rehoboam's earlier disregard for the people's pleas and ultimately, for God's prophetic will regarding the division.

• and went home again, according to the word of the LORD: Reinforces the completeness and exactness of their obedience. Their actions perfectly aligned with God's stated command, demonstrating the power and effectiveness of His spoken word when received with faithfulness.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Thus says the LORD: 'You shall not go up or fight against your brothers...for this thing is from Me.'": This entire section demonstrates God's sovereign command and explanatory rationale. It illustrates how divine will can overrule human political aspirations and military initiatives. It shows God intervening directly in a geopolitical crisis, asserting His control over nations and their leaders. The emphasis is on divine decree, rather than human free will leading the division.
  • "So they heeded the word of the LORD and went home again, according to the word of the LORD.": This highlights the powerful impact of obedience to God's direct revelation. Despite Rehoboam's anger and military mobilization, the clear command of the LORD led to the immediate and complete cessation of hostilities, preventing what could have been a devastating civil war and countless casualties. It underscores the ultimate authority of God's voice in the lives of His people.

1 Kings 12 24 Bonus section

• Role of the Prophet: While 1 Kings 12:24 attributes the words directly to the "LORD," 1 Kings 12:22-23 explicitly states that it was "the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God," who then conveyed it to Rehoboam. This highlights the crucial role of God's appointed messengers in communicating His will to leaders and people during this era.
• Prevented Worse Calamity: God's intervention averted a massive, self-inflicted slaughter. A full-scale war between Judah and Israel would have undoubtedly weakened both nascent kingdoms severely, making them more vulnerable to external enemies and leading to far greater suffering than the division itself. This reflects God's restraining grace, even in the midst of His judgment.
• Covenant Fidelity: Despite the division, God affirmed His continued faithfulness to the Davidic covenant (2 Sam 7), maintaining a lineage for David through Judah, ensuring a lamp always remained for Him in Jerusalem (1 Ki 11:36), and setting the stage for the Messiah to come from that very lineage.
• Polemics against Human Will: The phrase "this thing is from Me" stands as a direct polemic against any human attempts to undo God's decree through force or political machination. It asserts God's ultimate control over history, challenging the prevalent belief in the autonomy of human leaders to dictate events purely by their power.

1 Kings 12 24 Commentary

1 Kings 12:24 is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, emphasizing the unwavering sovereignty of God even amidst the fractured landscape of His chosen people. Despite Rehoboam's desire for vengeance and the natural human inclination to reclaim lost power by force, God intervened to prevent a full-scale civil war. This intervention serves several critical purposes:

First, it unequivocally declares that the kingdom's division was not an unforeseen tragedy but a divinely ordained consequence. God takes explicit ownership, stating "this thing is from Me." This resonates with earlier prophecies, particularly Ahijah's words to Jeroboam (1 Ki 11:29-39) and the Deuteronomistic theology which attributes national prosperity or judgment to Israel's faithfulness or rebellion. This wasn't merely permission; it was active orchestration by the Lord as judgment on Solomon's idolatry and to maintain the purity of His covenant, albeit through a painful schism.

Second, the verse showcases the transformative power of divine authority when respected. The gathered armies of Judah, on the verge of bloodshed, immediately dispersed upon hearing God's word, mediated by Shemaiah the prophet (mentioned just before this verse). This highlights that genuine faith entails obedience, even when a command seems to contradict strategic interests or personal desires. Rehoboam, who previously ignored the wisdom of his elders, responded obediently here, perhaps due to the stark and direct divine message.

Third, the prohibition against fighting "your brothers" underscores a foundational truth about the people of Israel: despite political divisions, they remained a single ethnic and spiritual family in God's eyes. This echoes earlier themes of national unity and discourages internecine conflict within the covenant community, a tragic prelude to their later disunity and subsequent captivities. God prevented them from destroying themselves prematurely.

Ultimately, 1 Kings 12:24 is a profound lesson in divine sovereignty. It demonstrates that God's plan transcends human schemes and even human failures. He works His purposes through flawed individuals and difficult circumstances, always moving towards the fulfillment of His ultimate covenant promises, even if that path involves division and hardship.