1 Kings 14:21

¶ 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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

1 Kings 14:21 introduces us to King Rehoboam, the son and successor of King Solomon, specifically focusing on his reign over the southern kingdom of Judah. This verse provides key demographic details about Rehoboam and highlights the significant role of Jerusalem as God's chosen city, while also subtly hinting at the spiritual challenges through the mention of his Ammonitess mother, Naamah.

Context of Rehoboam's Reign

This verse marks the beginning of the detailed narrative concerning the kingdom of Judah after the dramatic division of Israel. Following the death of his father, King Solomon, Rehoboam's arrogant refusal to lighten the burdens on the people led to the revolt of ten tribes, who then formed the northern kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam (see 1 Kings 12:16-19). Rehoboam was left to rule only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, which became known as the kingdom of Judah. His age of forty-one years at the start of his reign, and his seventeen-year rule, set the stage for a period of both spiritual decline and occasional revival in Judah's history.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Divided Kingdom: This verse firmly establishes Rehoboam as the first king of the independent kingdom of Judah, separate from the northern tribes. It underscores the consequences of leadership decisions and the fulfillment of prophecies regarding the division due to Solomon's idolatry (1 Kings 11:11-13).
  • Jerusalem's Enduring Significance: The phrase "Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there" emphasizes the continued divine election of Jerusalem as the spiritual and political capital of the Davidic line. Despite the kingdom's division, God's promise to establish David's throne forever remained anchored in Jerusalem.
  • Foreign Influence and Spiritual Compromise: The mention of Naamah as an "Ammonitess" is highly significant. Ammonites were among the peoples with whom Israelites were forbidden to intermarry, as their foreign worship often led God's people astray (Deuteronomy 23:3-6). Solomon's own foreign wives had led him into idolatry (1 Kings 11:4), and Naamah's background foreshadows the spiritual struggles and unfaithfulness that would characterize much of Rehoboam's reign and the subsequent history of Judah.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the city which the LORD did choose" (Hebrew: בָּחַר, bakhar) highlights God's sovereign selection and special covenant relationship with Jerusalem. This choice was not based on human merit but on divine purpose, making Jerusalem a focal point for God's presence and worship, despite the human failings of its kings and inhabitants.

Practical Application

1 Kings 14:21 serves as a reminder of several enduring truths. Firstly, leadership has profound consequences, as Rehoboam's choices directly impacted the nation's future. Secondly, the influence of our upbringing and associations, particularly spiritual ones, can significantly shape our lives and decisions. Naamah's background suggests a household potentially prone to spiritual compromise, which may have influenced Rehoboam's own poor judgment and the kingdom's subsequent decline into idolatry (1 Kings 14:22-24). Finally, it reaffirms God's faithfulness to His promises (regarding Jerusalem and the Davidic line) even amidst human disobedience, offering hope that His plans will ultimately prevail.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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