1 Kings 14:21

KJV

¶ And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam [was] forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name [was] Naamah an Ammonitess.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Rehoboam {H7346} the son {H1121} of Solomon {H8010} reigned {H4427} in Judah {H3063}. Rehoboam {H7346} was forty {H705} and one {H259} years {H8141} old {H1121} when he began to reign {H4427}, and he reigned {H4427} seventeen {H7651}{H6240} years {H8141} in Jerusalem {H3389}, the city {H5892} which the LORD {H3068} did choose {H977} out of all the tribes {H7626} of Israel {H3478}, to put {H7760} his name {H8034} there. And his mother's {H517} name {H8034} was Naamah {H5279} an Ammonitess {H5985}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Rechav'am the son of Shlomo was reigning in Y'hudah. Rechav'am was forty-one years old when he began to rule; and he ruled seventeen years in Yerushalayim, the city ADONAI had chosen from all the tribes of Isra'el to bear his name; his mother's name was Na'amah the 'Amonit.

Berean Standard Bible

Meanwhile, Rehoboam son of Solomon reigned in Judah. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel in which to put His Name. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite.

American Standard Version

And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which Jehovah had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there: and his mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 14:21 introduces Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, as the first king of the southern kingdom of Judah after the division of Israel. The verse provides crucial regnal information, detailing his age at ascension and the length of his seventeen-year reign in Jerusalem. Critically, it highlights Jerusalem's unique status as the city divinely chosen by the LORD to establish His name, while also subtly foreshadowing future spiritual challenges for the Davidic line by mentioning Rehoboam's mother, Naamah, an Ammonitess.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the detailed account of Jeroboam's reign over the northern kingdom of Israel, including his establishment of idolatrous worship centers at Dan and Bethel, and the prophetic judgment against him ([1 Kings 12:25-14:20](/1_kings/12-25-14-20 "1 Kings 12:25-14:20 - Jeroboam's Reign and Judgment")). With [1 Kings 14:21](/1_kings/14-21 "1 Kings 14:21 - Rehoboam's Reign Begins"), the narrative shifts focus entirely to the southern kingdom of Judah, marking a new phase in the book's dual monarchy history. It serves as the formal introduction to Rehoboam's reign, parallel to how Jeroboam's reign was introduced, establishing the foundational details for the subsequent narrative of Judah's kings. The preceding chapters have meticulously laid out the reasons for the kingdom's division, primarily Solomon's idolatry and Rehoboam's arrogant refusal to heed the people's plea for lighter burdens, setting the stage for the distinct spiritual and political trajectories of the two kingdoms.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Rehoboam's ascension occurs in the immediate aftermath of the united monarchy's collapse, a momentous historical event. The mention of his age (41) and length of reign (17 years) is standard biblical practice for royal records, providing chronological anchors. Jerusalem's designation as "the city which the LORD did choose...to put his name there" underscores its theological and political centrality, particularly for the Davidic covenant, which promised an enduring dynasty and a perpetual lamp in Jerusalem (e.g., [1 Kings 11:36](/1_kings/11-36 "1 Kings 11:36 - God's Promise to David")). Culturally, the identity of the queen mother was highly significant in ancient Near Eastern monarchies, often wielding considerable influence. The explicit mention of Naamah as an "Ammonitess" is therefore not a mere genealogical detail but a potent theological statement. Ammonites were historical enemies of Israel, descendants of Lot through an incestuous union ([Genesis 19:38](/genesis/19-38 "Genesis 19:38 - Origin of Ammonites")), and were explicitly forbidden from entering the assembly of the LORD (e.g., [Deuteronomy 23:3-6](/deuteronomy/23-3-6 "Deuteronomy 23:3-6 - Exclusion of Ammonites and Moabites")). This foreign, forbidden lineage of the queen mother immediately signals a potential for spiritual compromise and syncretism within the royal household, echoing Solomon's own downfall due to his foreign wives (e.g., [1 Kings 11:1-8](/1_kings/11-1-8 "1 Kings 11:1-8 - Solomon's Foreign Wives and Idolatry")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in [1 Kings](/1_kings "The Book of 1 Kings"). Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, as the kingdom's division and Rehoboam's limited reign are direct consequences of God's judgment against Solomon's apostasy, yet also a demonstration of His faithfulness to the Davidic covenant by preserving a remnant in Judah (e.g., [1 Kings 11:11-13](/1_kings/11-11-13 "1 Kings 11:11-13 - God's Judgment on Solomon")). Secondly, the emphasis on Jerusalem as God's chosen city reinforces the theme of **God's Enduring Presence and Covenant Faithfulness**, even amidst human failure and national fragmentation. Jerusalem remains the designated place for true worship and the anchor of the Davidic line. Thirdly, the mention of Naamah the Ammonitess introduces the critical theme of **Foreign Influence and Spiritual Compromise**. This detail foreshadows the pervasive spiritual decline and idolatry that would plague Rehoboam's reign and much of Judah's subsequent history, illustrating the constant temptation for Israel to assimilate with surrounding pagan cultures rather than maintaining its distinct covenant identity (e.g., [1 Kings 14:22-24](/1_kings/14-22-24 "1 Kings 14:22-24 - Judah's Evil Practices")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **chose (Hebrew, _bâchar'_):** This verb (H977) signifies a deliberate, sovereign act of selection or election. When applied to God, it emphasizes His divine prerogative and purpose. In the context of Jerusalem, it means God actively and intentionally set apart this city from all others for a specific, sacred purpose—to be the central place for His worship and the dwelling of His name. This choice was not based on Jerusalem's inherent merit but on God's covenantal faithfulness and redemptive plan.
* **put (Hebrew, _sûwm'_):** This primitive root (H7760) means "to put" or "to set." In the phrase "to put his name there," it signifies God's active establishment of His presence, ownership, and authority in Jerusalem. It does not mean God's infinite being is confined to a physical space, but rather that Jerusalem, and specifically the Temple within it, was the designated place where God would reveal His character, receive worship, and establish His covenant relationship with His people. It signifies a unique, localized manifestation of divine presence and a point of contact between God and humanity.
* **Ammonitess (Hebrew, _ʻAmmôwnîyth'_):** This ethnonym (H5985) identifies Naamah as a woman from the nation of Ammon. The Ammonites were perennial adversaries of Israel, known for their pagan worship, including child sacrifice (e.g., Molech worship). Their exclusion from the assembly of the LORD ([Deuteronomy 23:3-6](/deuteronomy/23-3-6 "Deuteronomy 23:3-6 - Exclusion of Ammonites and Moabites")) underscores the severity of intermarriage with them. Her nationality immediately signals a potential source of spiritual contamination within the royal family, a direct violation of Mosaic Law, and a continuation of the very sin that led to Solomon's downfall and the kingdom's division.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah."**: This clause formally introduces the new king and establishes his lineage as a direct descendant of Solomon, linking him to the Davidic dynasty. It also specifies his domain as "Judah," clearly delineating the southern kingdom after the split, distinguishing it from the northern kingdom of Israel now ruled by Jeroboam. This immediately sets the stage for the separate histories of the two kingdoms.
* **"Rehoboam [was] forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem,"**: This provides essential regnal data. His age at ascension (41) suggests a mature, experienced individual, making his initial poor judgment ([1 Kings 12](/1_kings/12 "1 Kings 12 - The Kingdom Divides")) even more striking. The seventeen-year reign provides a chronological marker for the period of his rule, and "in Jerusalem" reaffirms the city's status as the capital of the Davidic kingdom.
* **"the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there."**: This is a crucial theological statement embedded within historical reporting. It affirms Jerusalem's unique divine election, emphasizing that its significance is not merely political or strategic, but rooted in God's sovereign choice. It was the designated place where God would manifest His presence, receive worship, and establish His covenantal relationship with His people, serving as the spiritual heart of the Davidic kingdom.
* **"And his mother's name [was] Naamah an Ammonitess."**: This seemingly simple genealogical detail carries profound theological weight. The mention of Naamah's foreign, forbidden nationality immediately raises a red flag. Given the Deuteronomic prohibitions against intermarriage with such peoples and the explicit warnings about their idolatrous influence, her background foreshadows the spiritual struggles, syncretism, and unfaithfulness that would characterize Rehoboam's reign and much of Judah's subsequent history. It highlights the ongoing spiritual battle within the Davidic line, despite God's covenant promises.

#### Literary Devices
[1 Kings 14:21](/1_kings/14-21 "1 Kings 14:21 - Rehoboam's Reign Begins") employs several effective literary devices. **Juxtaposition** is prominent, setting the divinely chosen status of Jerusalem ("the city which the LORD did choose...to put his name there") against the problematic background of Rehoboam's mother, Naamah, an "Ammonitess." This contrast immediately creates tension, highlighting the purity of God's choice versus the potential for human compromise and spiritual impurity within the very heart of the Davidic monarchy. This detail also serves as powerful **foreshadowing**. The mention of Naamah's nationality, a people explicitly forbidden for intermarriage due to their idolatry, subtly but effectively hints at the spiritual decline and unfaithfulness that will characterize Rehoboam's reign, as explicitly detailed in the subsequent verses ([1 Kings 14:22-24](/1_kings/14-22-24 "1 Kings 14:22-24 - Judah's Evil Practices")). The verse also demonstrates **concise reporting**, packing a significant amount of historical, genealogical, and theological information into a single sentence, a characteristic feature of biblical historical narratives that convey maximum meaning with minimal words. Finally, the embedded theological statement about Jerusalem's divine election functions as a **theological anchor**, reminding the reader of God's steadfast purposes even amidst the unfolding narrative of human failure and national division.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 Kings 14:21](/1_kings/14-21 "1 Kings 14:21 - Rehoboam's Reign Begins") is a microcosm of the larger theological narrative in Kings, illustrating the tension between God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and humanity's persistent disobedience. Despite the dramatic division of the kingdom due to Solomon's idolatry and Rehoboam's folly, God's promise to David remains anchored in Jerusalem, the city where He chose to put His name. This verse underscores that while human actions have profound consequences, they do not ultimately thwart God's sovereign plan. The inclusion of Naamah's Ammonite heritage, however, immediately signals the ongoing spiritual battle within the royal house, a direct consequence of Solomon's unfaithfulness and a harbinger of the idolatry that will plague Judah. It highlights the pervasive danger of foreign influences and the constant need for covenant fidelity, demonstrating that even those within the lineage of promise are susceptible to spiritual compromise if they do not guard against unholy alliances.

* [Deuteronomy 12:5](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5 - God's Chosen Place for His Name")
* [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")
* [Nehemiah 13:1-3](/nehemiah/13-1-3 "Nehemiah 13:1-3 - Exclusion of Ammonites and Moabites")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Kings 14:21](/1_kings/14-21 "1 Kings 14:21 - Rehoboam's Reign Begins") offers profound insights for contemporary reflection and application. Firstly, it reminds us that our heritage and the influences within our families, particularly our parents, can significantly shape our spiritual trajectory. While Rehoboam's mother was an Ammonitess, it is not an automatic condemnation, but a warning about the potential for spiritual compromise and the need for intentional discipleship within the home. This calls us to consider the spiritual environment we cultivate for ourselves and our families, recognizing that associations and influences can either draw us closer to God or lead us astray. Secondly, the verse highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when His people are unfaithful. Despite the failures of Solomon and Rehoboam, God did not abandon Jerusalem or the Davidic line. This provides immense comfort and hope, reminding us that God's plans are not contingent on our perfect performance but on His steadfast character. We are called to trust in His faithfulness even when our circumstances or our own failures seem to contradict His promises. Finally, it underscores the critical importance of leadership, both spiritual and secular. Rehoboam's reign, marked by a divided heart and compromised decisions, serves as a cautionary tale for those in positions of influence, emphasizing the profound impact of their choices on the well-being and spiritual health of those they lead.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do the influences of our family background and upbringing, both positive and negative, continue to shape our spiritual lives today?**
* **In what ways does God demonstrate His faithfulness to His promises in our lives, even when we or those around us fall short?**
* **What specific steps can we take to guard against spiritual compromise and ensure that our "Jerusalem" – the place where God's name is to be honored – remains pure and devoted to Him?**

### FAQ

**Why is Rehoboam's mother's nationality, "Ammonitess," specifically mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The mention of Naamah as an "Ammonitess" is highly significant, not merely a genealogical detail. It serves as a crucial theological warning and foreshadowing. The Ammonites were a people explicitly forbidden for Israelites to intermarry with or admit into the assembly of the LORD (e.g., [Deuteronomy 23:3-6](/deuteronomy/23-3-6 "Deuteronomy 23:3-6 - Exclusion of Ammonites and Moabites")), primarily because of their pagan religious practices, including the worship of Molech, which involved child sacrifice. By highlighting Naamah's background, the biblical author subtly indicates a source of spiritual compromise within the royal household from the very beginning of Judah's independent monarchy. This echoes the downfall of Solomon himself, whose foreign wives led him into idolatry (e.g., [1 Kings 11:1-8](/1_kings/11-1-8 "1 Kings 11:1-8 - Solomon's Foreign Wives and Idolatry")), and foreshadows the widespread idolatry and unfaithfulness that would characterize Rehoboam's reign and much of Judah's subsequent history (e.g., [1 Kings 14:22-24](/1_kings/14-22-24 "1 Kings 14:22-24 - Judah's Evil Practices")). It underscores the ongoing spiritual battle for the purity of Israel's worship and covenant fidelity.

**What is the significance of Jerusalem being "the city which the LORD did choose...to put his name there"?**

Answer: This phrase underscores Jerusalem's unique and divinely ordained status. It signifies that Jerusalem, and specifically the Temple built within it, was the singular, divinely appointed place where God chose to manifest His presence, receive worship, and establish His covenant relationship with His people. It's not that God's infinite being is confined to Jerusalem, but rather that He designated it as the central point of contact between Himself and Israel, the place where His character and authority would be uniquely revealed. This choice was foundational to the Davidic covenant, promising an enduring dynasty and a perpetual lamp in Jerusalem (e.g., [2 Samuel 7:13](/2_samuel/7-13 "2 Samuel 7:13 - God's Promise to Davidic Dynasty")). Even amidst the kingdom's division and the subsequent spiritual failures of its kings, God's election of Jerusalem remained steadfast, demonstrating His faithfulness to His promises despite human sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Kings 14:21](/1_kings/14-21 "1 Kings 14:21 - Rehoboam's Reign Begins"), while seemingly a straightforward historical record, contains profound Christ-centered implications. The phrase "Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose...to put his name there" points forward to the ultimate dwelling place of God's name and presence, not in a physical city or temple, but in the person of Jesus Christ. As [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") declares, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us," literally "tabernacled" among us, signifying that Jesus Himself is the true Temple, the ultimate locus of God's presence. In Him, "all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of God in Christ")). Furthermore, Rehoboam's lineage, despite his flaws and the kingdom's division, is part of the unbroken Davidic line that ultimately leads to Jesus, the Messiah, as affirmed in [Matthew 1:7](/matthew/1-7 "Matthew 1:7 - Rehoboam in Jesus' Genealogy"). The mention of Naamah the Ammonitess, a forbidden foreign influence, highlights the spiritual brokenness and need for redemption that characterized even the chosen lineage. This underscores the radical nature of Christ's inclusive gospel, which breaks down barriers between Jew and Gentile, bringing all who believe into a new, spiritual family, not based on earthly heritage but on being born of God ([John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "John 1:12-13 - Children of God")). Jesus, the true King, perfectly fulfills the divine purpose for which Jerusalem was chosen, for it is in Him that God's name is truly glorified, and through His sacrifice in that very city, He establishes a new covenant and an eternal kingdom that will never be divided or compromised by sin.

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

2 Chronicles 12:13

¶ So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam [was] one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name [was] Naamah an Ammonitess.

1 Kings 11:36

And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

1 Kings 14:31

And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And his mother's name [was] Naamah an Ammonitess. And Abijam his son reigned in his stead.

Exodus 20:24

An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

Deuteronomy 12:5

¶ But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, [even] unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:

Isaiah 12:6

Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great [is] the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

Deuteronomy 12:21

If the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the LORD hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.