1 Kings 11:11

KJV

Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Solomon {H8010}, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept {H8104} my covenant {H1285} and my statutes {H2708}, which I have commanded {H6680} thee, I will surely {H7167} rend {H7167} the kingdom {H4467} from thee, and will give {H5414} it to thy servant {H5650}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So ADONAI said to Shlomo, "Since this is what has been in your mind, and you haven't kept my covenant and my regulations which I ordered you to obey, I will tear the kingdom from you and give it to your servant.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.

American Standard Version

Wherefore Jehovah said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Kings 11:11 records the Lord's solemn and decisive declaration of judgment against King Solomon, pronouncing that the unified kingdom would be violently torn from his grasp and given to his servant. This severe divine pronouncement came as a direct and inevitable consequence of Solomon's profound apostasy and blatant disregard for God's covenant and statutes, marking a tragic turning point in the history of Israel's monarchy after a reign initially characterized by unparalleled wisdom and prosperity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands as the climactic pronouncement of judgment within a tragic narrative arc detailing Solomon's spiritual decline. The preceding chapters of [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - Solomon's Reign") meticulously chronicle Solomon's glorious ascent to power, his unparalleled wisdom granted by God, the magnificent construction of the Temple, and his immense wealth and international renown. However, [1 Kings 11](/1_kings/11 "1 Kings 11 - Solomon's Idolatry and God's Judgment") abruptly shifts the focus, revealing Solomon's fatal compromises. Despite God's explicit warnings, given through direct appearances and conditional promises (recounted in [1 Kings 3:10-14](/1_kings/3-10-14 "1 Kings 3:10-14 - God's Promise to Solomon") and [1 Kings 9:1-9](/1_kings/9-1-9 "1 Kings 9:1-9 - God's Second Appearance to Solomon")), Solomon accumulated foreign wives who systematically turned his heart away from the Lord to idolatry ([1 Kings 11:1-8](/1_kings/11-1-8 "1 Kings 11:1-8 - Solomon's Foreign Wives and Idolatry")). The Lord's anger is explicitly stated in [1 Kings 11:9-10](/1_kings/11-9-10 "1 Kings 11:9-10 - The Lord's Anger Against Solomon"), leading directly to the pronouncement of judgment in verse 11, which then sets the stage for the kingdom's division under Rehoboam and Jeroboam in [1 Kings 12](/1_kings/12 "1 Kings 12 - The Division of the Kingdom").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BC) represented the zenith of the united monarchy, following the foundational period of King David. Israel's strategic geographical location during this era facilitated extensive trade and cultural exchange, which, while bringing prosperity, unfortunately also exposed the nation to a myriad of foreign religious practices. In the ancient Near East, kings frequently solidified political alliances through dynastic marriages. However, for Israelite kings, such practices were explicitly forbidden by Mosaic Law, primarily due to the inherent danger of syncretism and idolatry, as stipulated in [Deuteronomy 17:16-17](/deuteronomy/17-16-17 "Deuteronomy 17:16-17 - Warnings Against Kingly Abuses"). Solomon's accumulation of 700 wives and 300 concubines, many of whom were foreign princesses, directly violated this divine command. His construction of "high places" for pagan deities like Chemosh, Molech, and other gods near Jerusalem ([1 Kings 11:7-8](/1_kings/11-7-8 "1 Kings 11:7-8 - Solomon Builds High Places for Idols")) was a public and grievous act of apostasy, deeply offensive to the God who demanded exclusive worship. The "servant" mentioned in the verse would later be identified as Jeroboam, a significant figure in the subsequent division of the kingdom.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several core biblical themes central to the Deuteronomistic history. Firstly, the **Consequences of Disobedience** are starkly displayed; even the wisest and most blessed of kings is not exempt from divine judgment when he turns from God's commands. Solomon's fall serves as a potent illustration of the principle articulated in [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience") regarding the curses for covenant unfaithfulness. Secondly, it highlights the critical importance of **Covenant Fidelity**. God's relationship with Israel, and especially with its kings, was conditional upon obedience to the Mosaic Covenant. Solomon's failure to "keep my covenant and my statutes" directly led to the tearing of the kingdom, demonstrating that divine promises often carry stipulations. Thirdly, the verse affirms **God's Sovereignty** over human affairs and kingdoms. Despite Solomon's choices, it is God who declares, "I will surely rend the kingdom from thee," demonstrating His ultimate control over the destiny of nations and leaders, as seen in passages like [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons"). Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Justice and Mercy**, as God's judgment, while severe, is tempered by His unwavering promise to David, ensuring a remnant for David's sake ([1 Kings 11:12-13](/1_kings/11-12-13 "1 Kings 11:12-13 - God's Grace Towards David's Line")), a testament to God's enduring faithfulness to His own word.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, "the self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God." This word emphasizes that the speaker is the covenant God of Israel, the one true God, whose character is unchanging and whose word is absolute. The use of this specific divine name underscores the solemnity and authority of the pronouncement, indicating that the judgment comes from the very source of Israel's existence and blessing.
* **covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** From H1285, "a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh); confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league." This term refers to the solemn, binding agreement between God and Israel, specifically the Mosaic Covenant given at Sinai, which included statutes and laws. Solomon's failure to "keep" this covenant was a profound breach of the fundamental relationship between God and His chosen people, a betrayal of trust that demanded a severe response. It highlights the conditional nature of the blessings promised to the Davidic line.
* **rend (Hebrew, _qâraʻ'_):** From H7167, "to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them); cut out, rend, [idiom] surely, tear." This powerful verb means to tear, rip, or split apart violently. It is used elsewhere to describe tearing clothes in grief or anger (e.g., [Genesis 37:34](/genesis/37-34 "Genesis 37:34 - Jacob Tears His Garments")) or tearing down structures. Here, it vividly portrays the forceful, decisive, and painful division of the united kingdom, emphasizing the severity, finality, and irreversible nature of God's judgment. The doubling of the verb in the Hebrew ("rending I will rend") further intensifies this meaning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the divine origin and supreme authority of the message. It signifies that the following pronouncement is not a human decision, a political maneuver, or a consequence of natural events, but a direct, personal communication from the sovereign God to the king who had defied Him. It underscores the direct accountability of leaders to God.
* **"Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee,"**: This lengthy clause provides the precise and explicit justification for the impending judgment. "This is done of thee" refers to Solomon's widespread idolatry and apostasy, particularly his active role in building high places for foreign gods and allowing his heart to be turned away. The core offense is explicitly stated: his failure to "keep my covenant and my statutes." This highlights the conditional nature of God's blessings under the Mosaic covenant and the king's specific responsibility to uphold God's law, which had been "commanded" directly to him and his ancestors, emphasizing the deliberate nature of his disobedience.
* **"I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant."**: This is the divine sentence, pronounced with absolute certainty. The emphatic "I will surely rend" (a literal translation of the Hebrew intensifies the verb) underscores the certainty and decisiveness of God's action. The kingdom, which had been united and prosperous under David and Solomon, would be violently torn apart. The recipient of this severed portion would be "thy servant," a deliberate, somewhat humiliating contrast to Solomon's royal status, pointing to Jeroboam, who would rule the northern tribes. This clause encapsulates the core judgment: the loss of unified dominion and the transfer of power due to unfaithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey the gravity of God's judgment. The most prominent is **Divine Speech**, where God directly addresses Solomon. This direct address, "the LORD said unto Solomon," lends immense authority and gravity to the pronouncement, underscoring the personal nature of Solomon's rebellion and God's righteous, direct response. The verb "rend" (Hebrew _qâraʿ_), intensified by its repetition in the original, functions as a powerful **Metaphor** and vivid **Imagery**. It evokes the violent tearing of fabric, vividly picturing the painful, forceful, and decisive division of the united kingdom into two separate entities. This is not a gentle separation but a destructive act, reflecting the depth of God's displeasure and the severity of the consequences of sin. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Irony** in Solomon's story: the wisest king, renowned for his discernment, succumbs to the folly of idolatry; and the builder of God's magnificent Temple becomes the builder of pagan altars. This tragic irony amplifies the impact of God's judgment, as the very source of Israel's strength and unity becomes the cause of its fragmentation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Kings 11:11 stands as a stark reminder of the profound biblical principle that privilege does not exempt from accountability, especially for those in positions of leadership. Solomon's tragic fall illustrates that even extraordinary wisdom, immense wealth, and divine favor cannot override the severe consequences of deliberate disobedience to God's revealed will. The tearing of the kingdom is a tangible manifestation of God's unwavering justice, demonstrating His absolute commitment to His covenant and His intolerance for idolatry and spiritual compromise. It underscores that God's promises are often conditional upon human faithfulness, and His warnings are not idle threats but certain pronouncements that will come to pass. This pivotal event serves as a foundational moment in Israel's history, explaining the subsequent division and setting the stage for the distinct, often tumultuous, histories of the northern (Israel) and southern (Judah) kingdoms.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience"): This verse articulates the general principle of curses for disobedience to the covenant, which Solomon's experience powerfully exemplifies.
* [Joshua 24:20](/joshua/24-20 "Joshua 24:20 - God's Judgment on Idolatry"): Warns that if Israel forsakes the Lord and serves foreign gods, He will turn and do them harm and consume them after having done them good.
* [2 Samuel 7:14-15](/2_samuel/7-14-15 "2 Samuel 7:14-15 - God's Promise to David's Descendants"): While promising an enduring dynasty to David, God also includes a crucial provision for discipline if his descendants sin, stating, "If he commits iniquity, I will punish him with the rod of men... But my steadfast love will not depart from him." This foreshadows the judgment on Solomon while preserving the Davidic line, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His larger redemptive plan.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's tragic decline, culminating in this divine pronouncement, offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful warning against spiritual complacency and the insidious nature of compromise. Even after experiencing God's manifest presence, receiving extraordinary wisdom, and being blessed with unparalleled prosperity, Solomon allowed gradual drifts from God's commands to escalate into full-blown apostasy. This highlights the ongoing and critical need for vigilance in guarding our hearts, maintaining consistent spiritual disciplines, and prioritizing our covenant relationship with God above all else. We are reminded that true wisdom lies not merely in intellectual knowledge or even spiritual experience, but in obedient application of God's truth to every area of life. The passage challenges us to examine our own lives: where might we be allowing subtle compromises or worldly influences to erode our devotion to Christ? Are we faithfully keeping His commands, or are we allowing "foreign gods"—whether idols of wealth, comfort, success, self-reliance, or even good things elevated to ultimate things—to subtly turn our hearts away from Him? God's unwavering faithfulness to His word means both His promises and His warnings are sure and will come to pass.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be allowing "small compromises" to subtly lead you away from God's explicit commands or His heart for you?**
* **How does Solomon's story challenge your understanding of accountability, particularly for those in positions of leadership or influence within the church or community?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more effectively guard your heart against the allure of worldly idols and maintain unwavering fidelity to God's covenant in your daily walk?**
* **How does God's unwavering commitment to His word, both in blessing and judgment, impact your trust and obedience in your relationship with Him?**

### FAQ
**Why was God's judgment on Solomon so severe, leading to the tearing of the kingdom?**

Answer: God's judgment was exceptionally severe because Solomon's sin was a direct, persistent, and egregious violation of the covenant God had established with Israel and specifically with its kings. Solomon, who had been uniquely blessed with wisdom, immense wealth, and the privilege of building the Temple, deliberately chose to accumulate foreign wives and, more critically, allowed them to turn his heart to idolatry, building altars for pagan gods like Chemosh and Molech ([1 Kings 11:1-8](/1_kings/11-1-8 "1 Kings 11:1-8 - Solomon's Idolatry")). This was not an accidental transgression but a persistent, public act of apostasy, despite God having appeared to him twice with explicit warnings about the consequences of disobedience ([1 Kings 9:6-9](/1_kings/9-6-9 "1 Kings 9:6-9 - God's Warning to Solomon")). The tearing of the kingdom was a just and necessary consequence for such profound unfaithfulness, demonstrating God's holiness, His demand for exclusive worship from His people and their leaders, and His commitment to His covenant. It also served as a powerful, enduring lesson for future generations about the seriousness of covenant disobedience and the principle that "to whom much is given, much will be required" ([Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To Whom Much Is Given")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Solomon's fall and the rending of the kingdom in [1 Kings 11:11](/1_kings/11-11 "1 Kings 11:11 - God's Judgment on Solomon") powerfully foreshadows the ultimate need for a perfect King and an eternal, undivided kingdom. Solomon, despite his initial wisdom and glory, failed to keep God's covenant, leading to the fragmentation of Israel. This human failure highlights the inherent inability of any earthly king, even one as blessed as Solomon, to perfectly fulfill God's righteous demands or to establish a lasting, unified reign. The brokenness and division that resulted from Solomon's sin point forward to Jesus Christ, the true Son of David and the promised Messiah. Unlike Solomon, Jesus perfectly kept the Father's covenant, living a life of complete obedience even unto death on the cross ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our High Priest") and [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). He is the King whose kingdom "will have no end" ([Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - The Angel Gabriel's Prophecy to Mary")), a spiritual kingdom that unites people from every tribe and nation, tearing down walls of division rather than creating them ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")). Through His perfect sacrifice, Christ establishes a new covenant, not dependent on flawed human faithfulness alone but secured by His perfect obedience and grace ([Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6-13 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - The New Covenant")). Thus, Solomon's failure underscores the profound necessity and glory of Christ's perfect and eternal reign, where the kingdom will never be torn apart, and all who believe are united under His sovereign, righteous rule ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness into His Kingdom")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 11:31

And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:

1 Kings 12:15

Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

1 Kings 12:16

¶ So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither [have we] inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.

1 Kings 12:20

And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.

2 Kings 17:21

For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.

2 Samuel 12:9

Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife [to be] thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

2 Samuel 12:12

For thou didst [it] secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.