1 Kings 14 19

1 Kings 14:19 kjv

And the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred, and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

1 Kings 14:19 nkjv

Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he made war and how he reigned, indeed they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

1 Kings 14:19 niv

The other events of Jeroboam's reign, his wars and how he ruled, are written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel.

1 Kings 14:19 esv

Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.

1 Kings 14:19 nlt

The rest of the events in Jeroboam's reign, including all his wars and how he ruled, are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel.

1 Kings 14 verses

1 Kings 14 19 Meaning

This verse serves as a concluding statement for Jeroboam's reign in the Books of Kings, directing the reader to an external historical source, "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel," for further details on his military exploits and governance. It subtly underscores that the biblical narrative selectively focuses on aspects of his reign, primarily his spiritual apostasy, rather than providing an exhaustive account of his worldly accomplishments.

1 Kings 14 19 Context

1 Kings 14:19 is part of the concluding summary of Jeroboam's reign as the first king of the divided Northern Kingdom of Israel. This verse appears immediately after the fulfillment of the prophetic judgment against his household by the prophet Ahijah, specifically the death of Jeroboam's son, Abijah. The preceding verses in the chapter detail Jeroboam's fundamental sin of establishing rival worship sites with golden calves at Bethel and Dan, diverging from Jerusalem's rightful worship. This foundational sin profoundly impacts the spiritual trajectory of all subsequent Northern kings, becoming a recurring motif of divine judgment. The verse belongs to a standard literary formula employed by the Deuteronomistic historian, signifying the transition to the next king while explicitly stating that more detailed historical records of Jeroboam's political and military activities existed, but were not central to the biblical author's theological purpose.

1 Kings 14 19 Word analysis

• And the rest of the acts: Hebrew: וְיֶתֶר דִּבְרֵי (v'yeter divrei). This common formula indicates that the biblical account is not exhaustive but selective. "The rest" implies much more could be said, specifically concerning secular achievements. "Acts" or "deeds" (divrei) often encompass words, events, and matters of record, not just physical actions. Its use here signals a transition, concluding the biblical narrative's direct account of Jeroboam's general kingship, yet acknowledging that other details were preserved.

• of Jeroboam: Hebrew: יָרָבְעָם (Yarov'am). This refers to Jeroboam I, son of Nebat, the first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. His name becomes synonymous with national apostasy in later biblical texts due to his establishment of calf worship. His identity is crucial as the one who "made Israel to sin," setting a corrupt spiritual precedent.

• how he warred: Hebrew: נִלְחַם (nilcham). The verb indicates military engagements or active warfare. This phrase acknowledges Jeroboam's activities as a secular ruler, including his strategic and defensive campaigns, which would have been vital for establishing and maintaining the new kingdom. These details, though mentioned as existent, are omitted in the biblical narrative.

• and how he reigned: Hebrew: מָלָךְ (malakh). This signifies the administrative and governing aspects of his rule, encompassing internal policies, justice, economy, and general statecraft. It covers his authority and exercise of power beyond military actions, showcasing his role as a political leader. Again, the biblical author does not delve into these specifics.

• behold, they are written: Hebrew: הִנָּם כְּתוּבִים (hinnâm ketuvîm). This phrase serves as an authoritative statement, a sort of academic "referral note." "Behold" (hinnâm) draws attention to the fact and validates the existence of these records, affirming their authenticity to the reader. "Are written" confirms their recorded, accessible nature. This substantiates the historical claims while maintaining the biblical author's selective focus.

• in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel: Hebrew: סֵפֶר דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים לְמַלְכֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (sefer divrei hayyamim l'malkhei Yisrael). This refers to an official state annal or court chronicle kept by the scribes of the Northern Kingdom, now lost to us. This is distinct from the canonical books of 1 and 2 Chronicles in the Bible. It denotes a public, reliable, and more extensive historical record available to the biblical author and presumably the original audience, proving the historical grounding of the biblical narrative while demonstrating its interpretive priorities.

• "And the rest of the acts of Jeroboam": This phrase establishes that the biblical author's primary concern is not a complete biography of Jeroboam but a theological history. It signals the biblical text’s specific lens of judgment on the king's spiritual leadership. The existence of "the rest" implies Jeroboam had accomplishments and failures outside the theological purview that the biblical record chooses not to emphasize.

• "how he warred, and how he reigned": This grouping points to the standard criteria for assessing ancient monarchs: military prowess and administrative effectiveness. These were the things that often constituted the pride of an earthly kingdom, yet they are quickly dispatched within the biblical narrative. The juxtaposition of these earthly achievements with the preceding spiritual condemnation of Jeroboam highlights the contrasting values of worldly success and divine righteousness.

1 Kings 14 19 Bonus section

The "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" (and its counterpart for Judah) served several functions for the biblical author:

• Authenticity: It provided an accessible historical verification for the audience, signaling that the biblical account was grounded in factual history.
• Conciseness: It allowed the biblical narrative to remain concise, avoiding lengthy detours into military campaigns or administrative details that were not central to its theological purpose.
• Selective Emphasis: By referencing an external source for secular details, the biblical writer emphasizes their deliberate choice to prioritize theological evaluation—kingship assessed against the standard of the Torah and the Lord's covenant. This pattern allowed the author to maintain a consistent theme of divine judgment based on obedience and idolatry throughout the historical accounts of both kingdoms. Jeroboam's summary serves as the archetypal template for future Northern kings.

1 Kings 14 19 Commentary

1 Kings 14:19 is a classic example of the Deuteronomistic historian's literary technique, underscoring that the Books of Kings are not mere historical accounts in the modern sense but theological narratives. By summarily referring to the "book of the chronicles," the author implicitly declares that Jeroboam's worldly achievements—his wars and administration—are secondary to his religious failures. The primary concern of the biblical text is Jeroboam's pivotal role in leading Israel into apostasy, establishing calf worship which became "the sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat" (e.g., 1 Kgs 15:30). His earthly reign, no matter how successful militarily or politically, ultimately held less significance in the eyes of the Lord than his egregious sin. This verse acts as a dismissive footnote to Jeroboam's secular legacy, allowing the narrative to move forward to the next king while maintaining its singular focus on Israel's faithfulness (or lack thereof) to Yahweh's covenant.