1 Kings 14 30

1 Kings 14:30 kjv

And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.

1 Kings 14:30 nkjv

And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.

1 Kings 14:30 niv

There was continual warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.

1 Kings 14:30 esv

And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.

1 Kings 14:30 nlt

There was constant war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.

1 Kings 14 verses

1 Kings 14 30 Meaning

This verse concisely describes the persistent state of hostility and conflict that existed between the southern kingdom of Judah, ruled by Rehoboam, and the northern kingdom of Israel, ruled by Jeroboam. This ongoing "war" indicates not necessarily constant major battles, but an unceasing condition of political tension, border skirmishes, and mutual antagonism throughout their reigns. It signifies the lasting impact of the kingdom's division.

1 Kings 14 30 Context

The verse "And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually" (1 Kings 14:30) is situated at a critical juncture in the biblical narrative: the early years of the divided monarchy. The preceding chapters (1 Kings 11-12) detail the divine judgment on Solomon's apostasy, leading to the tearing away of ten tribes from the Davidic line, leaving only Judah (and Benjamin) under Rehoboam, Solomon's son. Jeroboam became king over the northern kingdom of Israel.

1 Kings 14 specifically highlights the spiritual failures of both kings: Jeroboam's establishment of calf worship in Bethel and Dan (1 Kgs 12:25-33), and Rehoboam's allowance of widespread idolatry and perverse practices in Judah (1 Kgs 14:22-24). Immediately before verse 30, the text describes Judah's descent into sin and the subsequent invasion by Shishak, King of Egypt, who plundered the temple and royal palace. The ongoing war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam serves as a summarizing statement, reinforcing the political and spiritual instability that marked this period. This state of constant conflict was a direct consequence of their disobedience to the covenant and God's judgment upon His wayward people. It signaled the fragmentation and weakening of God's chosen nation, which was intended to be a unified, faithful kingdom.

1 Kings 14 30 Word analysis

• And (וְ, ve): A simple conjunctive particle. In this context, it connects the state of perpetual war to the preceding description of both Judah's and Israel's spiritual decline and Rehoboam's reign. It presents the war as a subsequent, natural development or outcome of the described conditions.
• there was war (מִלְחָמָה הָיְתָה, milchamah hayetah):
  • war (מִלְחָמָה, milchamah): The Hebrew word for "war," "battle," or "conflict." It denotes not just a single military encounter but a state or period of armed hostilities. The root laḥam implies 'to consume' or 'to fight for food,' highlighting the destructive, all-consuming nature of warfare.
  • was (הָיְתָה, hayetah): Feminine singular perfect form of the verb hayah, meaning "to be," "to become," or "to come to pass." Here, it signifies a continuous state or a prevailing reality that persisted over time, not a momentary event. The implication is that this conflict became a defining characteristic of their respective reigns.
• between Rehoboam (בֵּין רְחַבְעָם, bein Reḥavʻam):
  • between (בֵּין, bein): A preposition indicating separation, distinction, or the space/relation between two entities. It highlights the direct rivalry and opposition between the two kings.
  • Rehoboam (רְחַבְעָם, Reḥavʻam): "He enlarges the people" or "the people have enlarged (him)." Son of Solomon, who foolishly ignored the advice of his elders and drove the ten tribes to secession (1 Ki 12:1-15). He was the king of the southern kingdom, Judah.
• and Jeroboam (וּבֵין יָרָבְעָם, uvein Yaravʻam):
  • and (וּ, u): Conjunctive particle, joining the second party to the first.
  • between (בֵּין, bein): Repeated for clarity and emphasis on the dual parties involved in the conflict.
  • Jeroboam (יָרָבְעָם, Yaravʻam): "The people will contend" or "he who causes the people to contend." The first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, who famously established idol worship (golden calves) to prevent his people from returning to Jerusalem for worship (1 Ki 12:26-33). He perpetuated the initial schism by leading his people into gross sin.
• continually (כָּל הַיָּמִים, kol hayyamim):
  • continually / all the days (כָּל הַיָּמִים, kol hayyamim): Literally "all the days." This adverbial phrase strongly emphasizes the persistence and unbroken nature of the conflict. It does not imply every day there was a pitched battle, but that hostile relations, border disputes, raids, and military tension were a constant reality throughout the reigns of both kings. There was no lasting peace, only ongoing animosity.

Words-Group Analysis

• "war... continually": This powerful phrase underscores the debilitating state of affairs. The divided kingdom, instead of being united and strong, was weakened by internal strife. The word "continually" highlights that this wasn't an isolated incident or a short war, but a persistent and draining reality that consumed resources, lives, and stability for both nations, a direct contrast to the peace of the unified kingdom under David and early Solomon.
• "between Rehoboam and Jeroboam": This explicitly identifies the personal and political antagonists at the helm of this prolonged conflict. The tension was fundamentally rooted in the original schism and perpetuated by the choices of these two leaders, representing the two distinct religious and political entities of God's covenant people. Their personal and dynastic rivalries translated into constant national hostility, indicating a profound spiritual and political rupture within Israel.

1 Kings 14 30 Bonus section

• Not a decisive victory for either: The "continually" suggests that despite frequent engagements, neither side achieved a lasting or decisive victory that could subjugate the other during the initial reigns. This prolonged deadlock was costly for both nations.
• Sign of Spiritual Unhealth: The constant state of war between brother nations highlights their deep spiritual malaise. True peace, according to prophetic understanding, stems from obedience and living according to God's covenant. The absence of peace was a clear indicator of their departure from Him.
• Broader Implications for Covenant People: The narrative of the divided kingdom and their constant warfare serves as a powerful cautionary tale against internal strife, pride, idolatry, and rebellion against God's established order. It demonstrates how sin breaks fellowship not only with God but also within communities, leading to sustained bitterness and destructive conflict.

1 Kings 14 30 Commentary

1 Kings 14:30 succinctly encapsulates a foundational truth about the divided monarchy: perpetual internal conflict. This wasn't just a political struggle but a deep spiritual wound reflecting the consequences of sin and apostasy. The "war continually" serves as a narrative judgment on the reigns of both Rehoboam and Jeroboam.

Rehoboam, heir to David's throne, failed to provide wise and humble leadership, contributing to the initial split. Jeroboam, appointed by divine prophecy yet quickly veering into idolatry, established a spiritual rift that perpetuated the political divide. This ongoing warfare, thus, stands as a clear outworking of God's judgment against their unfaithfulness. The once unified kingdom, blessed with peace and prosperity under faithful rule, was now rent by internecine strife, mirroring the spiritual disunity between YHWH and His people as they strayed after idols. This internal division also rendered both kingdoms more vulnerable to external threats, as evidenced by Shishak's recent invasion (1 Kings 14:25-26). The constant conflict also suggests a lack of resolve, strategy, or even willingness on either side to seek a lasting peace, being locked into a pattern of mutual destruction driven by political and religious rivalry. This state of affairs foreshadowed the eventual downfall and exile of both kingdoms, unable to withstand external pressures due to their debilitating internal divisions.