King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Speak to Rechav'am the son of Shlomo, king of Y'hudah, to all the house of Y'hudah and Binyamin and to the rest of the people; tell them
Berean Standard Bible:
“Tell Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah, all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and the rest of the people
American Standard Version:
Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, saying,
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Speak{H559} unto Rehoboam{H7346}, the son{H1121} of Solomon{H8010}, king{H4428} of Judah{H3063}, and unto all the house{H1004} of Judah{H3063} and Benjamin{H1144}, and to the remnant{H3499} of the people{H5971}, saying{H559},
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Kings 12:17
- But [as for] the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Kings 12:23
1 Kings 12:23 is a verse set within the broader context of the division of the united kingdom of Israel following the death of King Solomon. The verse itself is part of a message delivered by a prophet, Shemaiah, who speaks on behalf of God to Rehoboam, Solomon's son and the newly crowned king of Judah. The historical context is the immediate aftermath of a failed attempt by Rehoboam to assert his authority over the northern tribes of Israel, who had approached him requesting less harsh treatment than they had experienced under his father's rule.
Rehoboam, influenced by his younger counselors, responded with arrogance, refusing to lighten the yoke his father had placed on the people. This response led to a rebellion, and the northern tribes seceded from the kingdom, establishing their own kingdom, known as Israel, with Jeroboam as their king. Rehoboam was left with the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and a small number of Levites, who remained loyal to the house of David, thus forming the kingdom of Judah.
The themes of 1 Kings 12:23 include divine authority, the consequences of poor leadership, and the fulfillment of prophecy. God, through the prophet Shemaiah, is affirming the division of the kingdom as a punishment for Solomon's idolatry and Rehoboam's folly. The verse underscores the idea that God is sovereign over human kings and that disobedience to divine command leads to disaster. It also highlights the importance of heeding prophetic counsel, as Shemaiah warns Rehoboam not to engage in a civil war against the northern tribes, which would only bring further calamity.
In essence, 1 Kings 12:23 captures a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, emphasizing themes of divine sovereignty, the results of pride and poor governance, and the role of prophecy in guiding the nation's leaders. It sets the stage for the ongoing narrative of division and conflict between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah that will dominate much of the historical books of the Old Testament.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - 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. - 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. - Strong's Number: H8010
There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁלֹמֹה
Transliteration: Shᵉlômôh
Pronunciation: shel-o-mo'
Description: from שָׁלוֹם; peaceful; Shelomah, David's successor; Solomon. - Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - 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. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H1144
There are 156 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בִּנְיָמִין
Transliteration: Binyâmîyn
Pronunciation: bin-yaw-mene'
Description: from בֵּן and יָמִין; son of (the) right hand; Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; Benjamin. - Strong's Number: H3499
There are 95 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יֶתֶר
Transliteration: yether
Pronunciation: yeh'-ther
Description: from יָתַר; properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a small rope (as hanging free); [phrase] abundant, cord, exceeding, excellancy(-ent), what they leave, that hath left, plentifully, remnant, residue, rest, string, with. - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.