1 Kings 14 8

1 Kings 14:8 kjv

And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;

1 Kings 14:8 nkjv

and tore the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it to you; and yet you have not been as My servant David, who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, to do only what was right in My eyes;

1 Kings 14:8 niv

I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, but you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commands and followed me with all his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes.

1 Kings 14:8 esv

and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, and yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, doing only that which was right in my eyes,

1 Kings 14:8 nlt

I ripped the kingdom away from the family of David and gave it to you. But you have not been like my servant David, who obeyed my commands and followed me with all his heart and always did whatever I wanted.

1 Kings 14 verses

1 Kings 14 8 Meaning

God, through the prophet Ahijah, delivers a severe indictment against King Jeroboam of Israel. The core message is that Jeroboam, despite being divinely chosen and having the northern kingdom "torn" from David's lineage and given to him, failed miserably to uphold the covenant. He stands in stark contrast to King David, whom God highlights as a model of a servant who genuinely obeyed and wholeheartedly followed the divine commands, always seeking to do what was pleasing in God's sight.

1 Kings 14 8 Context

h2ContextThis verse is part of God's stern prophetic message delivered by Ahijah to Jeroboam's wife, disguised as an ordinary woman, about the impending judgment on Jeroboam's house. It directly follows the revelation of Jeroboam's young son's death and precedes the prophecy of the total destruction of Jeroboam's lineage and the scattering of Israel due to his sins. Historically, it is set after the division of the united kingdom into Israel (North, under Jeroboam) and Judah (South, under Rehoboam). Jeroboam, despite being divinely appointed and promised a lasting dynasty conditional on his obedience, quickly instituted idolatrous worship with golden calves at Bethel and Dan to prevent his people from returning to Jerusalem for worship, directly defying God's explicit commands and Solomon's foundational work of the Temple. This verse underscores the central reason for his downfall: his egregious failure to emulate David's faithfulness and obedience, despite witnessing divine judgment on Solomon for similar spiritual strayings. It serves as a strong polemic against Jeroboam's self-devised religious system, which compromised the true worship of the LORD for political expediency, standing in stark contrast to the pure and unwavering devotion exemplified by David.

1 Kings 14 8 Word analysis

h2Word analysisul

• and tore the kingdom away: The Hebrew verb for "tore" is קָרַע (qaraʿ), which implies a violent, decisive, and irreversible separation or rending. This is not a gradual process but an immediate act of divine judgment. It emphasizes God's sovereign hand in removing the kingdom from the Davidic line (Solomon) due to their disobedience and then giving it to Jeroboam.
• from the house of David: Refers to the Davidic dynasty, the royal lineage descended from King David. This house held a unique position due to God's eternal covenant with David, promising a perpetual throne and kingdom (2 Sam 7:12-16). The act of tearing implies a significant breaking of this established order, albeit with a preserved remnant for David's sake (1 Kgs 11:13).
• and gave it to you—: Signifies God's active role in establishing Jeroboam's reign. It underscores that Jeroboam's rise to power was not a mere political coup or human machination, but a divine bestowal (1 Kgs 11:31-38). This divine initiative amplifies Jeroboam's guilt, as he rejected the very God who elevated him.
• yet you have not been like My servant David: This phrase sets up a stark and damning comparison. Jeroboam had a divine call and an opportunity for a blessed reign, similar to David. However, he fundamentally failed to meet God's standard of faithfulness.
• My servant David: This is a title of high honor and divine approval. David is presented not as a sinless figure, but as one who maintained a posture of submission and devotion to God throughout his life. This title elevates David as a consistent exemplar for all future kings of Israel and Judah.
• who kept My commandments: The Hebrew word for "kept" is שָׁמַר (shamar), meaning to guard, observe, preserve, or heed carefully. It signifies intentional, diligent, and consistent obedience to God's specific laws and statutes given in the Torah. David's obedience, though not perfect in every instance (e.g., Bathsheba, census), was characterized by a fundamental alignment of his will with God's.
• and who followed Me: The Hebrew phrase וְהָלַךְ אַחֲרָֽי (vehalech acharay) literally means "and walked after Me." This conveys a relationship of close adherence, discipleship, and submission. It describes David's life as a journey led by God, seeking divine guidance and walking in God's ways, rather than pursuing his own will or desires as ultimate.
• with all his heart: The Hebrew for "heart" is לֵבָב (levav), signifying the entirety of one's inner being—mind, will, emotions, and intellect. "With all his heart" emphasizes genuine, undivided devotion and commitment. It indicates that David's obedience flowed from an internal, sincere desire to please God, not merely outward compliance or ritual. This is a crucial element missing in Jeroboam.
• to do only what was right in My eyes: This phrase highlights that David's actions and decisions were consistently filtered through the lens of God's approval. "Right in My eyes" refers to a divine standard of righteousness and justice, aligned with God's character and covenant requirements. David's fundamental aim was God's honor and glory, not personal gain or political expediency, setting him apart from subsequent kings who often compromised.

1 Kings 14 8 Bonus section

h2Bonus sectionul

• The Polemic against Idolatry: This verse is deeply embedded in a strong polemic against the idolatry introduced by Jeroboam. By elevating David as the standard, God implicitly condemns Jeroboam's golden calves and the perversion of the priesthood, directly challenging the syncretistic worship Jeroboam established.
• The Unfulfilled Conditional Covenant: God had offered Jeroboam a "sure house" (1 Kgs 11:38) if he had walked in God's ways like David. This verse confirms Jeroboam's immediate and catastrophic failure to meet these conditions, nullifying the promise of dynastic stability for his house.
• Theological Contrast of Hearts: The contrast between David's "all his heart" and Jeroboam's implicit divided or self-serving heart (evidenced by his actions in 1 Kgs 12) is a recurring theological theme in the Bible. A "whole heart" leads to blessings and intimacy with God, while a divided heart leads to instability, sin, and judgment.
• Foreshadowing of God's Faithfulness: Despite Jeroboam's failure and the subsequent unfaithfulness of Israel, the mention of "the house of David" subtly reaffirms God's commitment to His eternal covenant with David. Even amidst judgment on Jeroboam, the Davidic line is preserved in Judah (1 Kgs 11:32-36), ultimately leading to the Messiah.

1 Kings 14 8 Commentary

h2Commentary1 Kings 14:8 presents a sharp and pivotal theological indictment of Jeroboam, highlighting the contrast between divinely established authority and genuine obedience. God explicitly asserts His sovereignty in the division of the kingdom, reminding Jeroboam that his kingship was a divine gift, not a human achievement. The profound disappointment is evident in God's comparison of Jeroboam with "My servant David." This is not an unfair comparison but a clear statement of the standard God expects from those He exalts. David, despite his personal failures, possessed a "whole heart" posture of devoted submission to God, prioritizing God's commandments and consistently seeking God's approval above all else. This meant observing true worship, adhering to the Law, and recognizing God's supremacy in all aspects of life. Jeroboam, by contrast, immediately established a false worship system born of political fear and self-will, leading the entire kingdom into grave sin and illustrating a divided heart that pursued earthly gain over divine truth. This verse thus powerfully encapsulates the ultimate criterion for leadership in God's eyes: not simply power or position, but uncompromising, heartfelt obedience and exclusive devotion to the Lord's commands. It's a stark reminder that privilege brings greater responsibility, and disobedience to a divine calling brings severe judgment.