1 Kings 12:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But [as for] the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But as for the people of Isra'el living in the cities of Y'hudah, Rechav'am ruled over them.

Berean Standard Bible:

but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah.

American Standard Version:

But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But as for the children^{H1121} of Israel^{H3478} which dwelt^{H3427} in the cities^{H5892} of Judah^{H3063}, Rehoboam^{H7346} reigned^{H4427} over them.

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Commentary for 1 Kings 12:17

1 Kings 12:17 is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the history of ancient Israel, reflecting the division of the united kingdom into two separate entities: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. The historical context of this verse is the aftermath of the death of King Solomon, who had ruled over a unified kingdom. Upon Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne. However, the new king's heavy-handed approach and refusal to lighten the burden his father had placed on the people led to widespread discontent.

In the verse, Rehoboam is noted to still reign over the Israelites who lived in the cities of Judah, which became the core of the Kingdom of Judah. This indicates that while the northern tribes had seceded under the leadership of Jeroboam, forming the Kingdom of Israel, Rehoboam maintained control over the southern part of the kingdom, which included the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priestly tribe of Levi.

The themes present in this verse include the consequences of poor leadership, the division within a nation, and the enduring impact of a ruler's decisions on the course of history. It also touches on the theme of identity, as the people of Judah, under Rehoboam's reign, began to forge a distinct identity separate from their northern brethren. This division would lead to a long period of political strife, religious schism, and eventual exile for both kingdoms. The verse underscores the importance of a leader's relationship with the people and the far-reaching effects of political fragmentation.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3478
   There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
   Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
   Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
   Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3427
   There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָשַׁב
   Transliteration: yâshab
   Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5892
   There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עִיר
   Transliteration: ʻîyr
   Pronunciation: eer
   Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3063
   There are 754 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהוּדָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhûwdâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-hoo-daw'
   Description: from יָדָה; celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory; Judah.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7346
   There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רְחַבְעָם
   Transliteration: Rᵉchabʻâm
   Pronunciation: rekh-ab-awm'
   Description: from רָחַב and עַם; a people has enlarged; Rechabam, an Israelite king; Rehoboam.
   
7. Strong's Number: H4427
   There are 284 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָלַךְ
   Transliteration: mâlak
   Pronunciation: maw-lak'
   Description: a primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel; consult, [idiom] indeed, be (make, set a, set up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign(-ing), rule, [idiom] surely.