1 Kings 14:31

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Rehoboam {H7346} slept {H7901} with his fathers {H1}, and was buried {H6912} with his fathers {H1} in the city {H5892} of David {H1732}. And his mother's {H517} name {H8034} was Naamah {H5279} an Ammonitess {H5985}. And Abijam {H38} his son {H1121} reigned {H4427} in his stead.

Complete Jewish Bible

Rechav'am slept with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David; his mother's name was Na'amah the 'Amonit. Then Aviyam his son became king in his place.

Berean Standard Bible

And Rehoboam rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David; his mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite. And his son Abijam reigned in his place.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 14:31 concisely concludes the reign of Rehoboam, the first king of Judah after the division of the united monarchy. It records his death, his burial in the ancestral tomb within the City of David, and notably mentions his mother, Naamah, an Ammonitess. The verse then marks the seamless transition of power to his son, Abijam, ensuring the continuity of the Davidic line despite the kingdom's fragmentation and the moral compromises evident in the royal lineage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the concluding summary of Rehoboam's reign, a standard formula used throughout the books of Kings (e.g., [1 Kings 15:8](/1_kings/15-8 "1 Kings 15:8 - Abijam's Death and Asa's Succession")). It follows a detailed account of his rule, which began with the disastrous division of the kingdom in [1 Kings 12](/1_kings/12 "1 Kings 12 - The Division of the Kingdom") and continued with a period of spiritual decline and foreign invasion. The immediate preceding verses ([1 Kings 14:21-30](/1_kings/14-21 "1 Kings 14:21-30 - Rehoboam's Reign and Judah's Idolatry")) describe Judah's apostasy under Rehoboam, including the erection of high places and Asherah poles, and the invasion by Shishak, king of Egypt. The mention of Naamah in this concluding verse subtly ties back to the broader narrative of Solomon's foreign wives and their detrimental influence, which initiated the kingdom's troubles ([1 Kings 11:1-8](/1_kings/11-1 "1 Kings 11:1-8 - Solomon's Foreign Wives and Idolatry")). The verse seamlessly transitions to the next king, Abijam, setting the stage for the subsequent narrative in [1 Kings 15](/1_kings/15 "1 Kings 15 - The Reigns of Abijam and Asa").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The phrase "slept with his fathers" is a common biblical euphemism for death, indicating a natural, peaceful passing, often implying burial in an ancestral tomb. For the kings of Judah, this typically meant burial in the "city of David," which refers to Jerusalem, specifically the royal necropolis on the Ophel ridge. This burial location affirmed Rehoboam's legitimate status as a king of the Davidic dynasty, despite the kingdom's internal divisions and external pressures. The mention of Naamah as an "Ammonitess" is highly significant. The Ammonites were a neighboring people, often hostile to Israel, descended from Lot (Genesis 19:38). Intermarriage with foreign women, particularly those from nations not fully aligned with Yahweh, was explicitly forbidden in the Mosaic Law ([Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage")). Solomon's extensive foreign marriages, including Naamah, directly violated this command and were identified as a primary cause for God's judgment and the subsequent division of the kingdom ([1 Kings 11:1-13](/1_kings/11-1 "1 Kings 11:1-13 - Solomon's Idolatry and God's Judgment")). Thus, Naamah's identity serves as a stark reminder of the long-term consequences of royal disobedience and compromise.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Kings. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **succession and continuity** within the Davidic covenant. Despite the political fragmentation of Israel, the line of Davidic kings in Judah remains unbroken, fulfilling God's promise to David in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"). Secondly, the explicit mention of Naamah, an Ammonitess, highlights the theme of the **consequences of disobedience and compromise**. Her foreign origin is not a mere genealogical detail but a subtle yet potent reminder of Solomon's sin in marrying foreign women who led his heart astray from God, directly contributing to the kingdom's troubles and the spiritual decline that continued under Rehoboam. This emphasizes the ripple effect of sin across generations. Finally, the verse subtly points to **divine sovereignty** even amid human failings. Despite Rehoboam's flawed reign and the kingdom's turmoil, God's plan for the Davidic dynasty perseveres, ensuring a successor to the throne of Judah, a testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"slept with his fathers" (Hebrew, _shakav im avotav_):** This is a common and respectful euphemism for death found frequently in the books of Kings and Chronicles. It implies a natural, peaceful passing, in contrast to violent deaths or those who were not afforded a proper burial among their ancestors. For kings, it often signifies their legitimate succession and burial in the royal necropolis.
* **"Ammonitess" (Hebrew, _ʿammonit_):** This specific ethnic designation for Naamah is highly significant. The Ammonites were a perpetual enemy of Israel, and intermarriage with them was forbidden by Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Her identity here serves as a powerful, terse reminder of Solomon's disobedience in marrying foreign women who led him to idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-8), directly contributing to the divine judgment of kingdom division. It highlights the ongoing spiritual compromise within the Davidic royal line.
* **"city of David" (Hebrew, _ʿir David_):** This refers to Jerusalem, specifically the royal burial grounds for the kings of Judah. Being buried "with his fathers in the city of David" signifies legitimacy, continuity of the Davidic dynasty, and a proper, honorable burial for a king of Judah, even one whose reign was marked by significant failures.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Rehoboam slept with his fathers":** This clause marks the end of Rehoboam's life and reign. The euphemism "slept with his fathers" indicates a natural death, concluding his 17-year rule over Judah. It is a standard formula used to summarize the end of a monarch's life in the Deuteronomistic History.
* **"and was buried with his fathers in the city of David.":** This specifies Rehoboam's burial place, confirming his status as a legitimate king of the Davidic line. Burial in the royal necropolis within Jerusalem (the "city of David") underscores the continuity of the dynasty, despite the political and spiritual turmoil that characterized his reign and the kingdom's division.
* **"And his mother's name [was] Naamah an Ammonitess.":** This seemingly parenthetical detail is profoundly significant. It identifies Rehoboam's mother as a foreign woman from a people hostile to Israel and explicitly forbidden for intermarriage. This detail serves as a subtle yet potent theological commentary, linking Rehoboam's problematic reign and the kingdom's spiritual decline back to the foundational sin of his father, Solomon, who married foreign wives and allowed them to introduce idolatry into Israel (1 Kings 11:1-8). It highlights the deep-seated spiritual compromise within the royal family.
* **"And Abijam his son reigned in his stead.":** This final clause announces the immediate and legitimate succession of Rehoboam's son, Abijam (also known as Abijah in 2 Chronicles), to the throne of Judah. It emphasizes the unbroken continuity of the Davidic line, a crucial theological point affirming God's faithfulness to His covenant promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) even amidst the failures of human kings.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several key literary devices. **Euphemism** is evident in the phrase "slept with his fathers," a gentle and respectful way to describe death, common in biblical narratives. This contrasts with more direct descriptions of violent or ignominious ends, highlighting Rehoboam's legitimate, if flawed, reign. There is also a subtle **juxtaposition** between Rehoboam's proper burial in the "city of David," affirming his royal legitimacy, and the immediate mention of his mother, Naamah, an Ammonitess. This juxtaposition implicitly highlights the tension between the divinely ordained Davidic line and the corrupting influence of foreign alliances and idolatry that plagued it. The inclusion of Naamah's ethnicity serves as a form of **foreshadowing** or subtle **retrospective commentary**, reminding the reader of the ongoing consequences of Solomon's sin (1 Kings 11:1-8) and hinting at the continued spiritual struggles of the subsequent kings. The overall **conciseness** of the regnal summary is characteristic of the Deuteronomistic History, efficiently conveying essential information while allowing key details, like Naamah's identity, to carry significant theological weight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 14:31, while brief, is rich with theological implications. It underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with David, ensuring a continuous lineage on the throne of Judah despite the profound failures of individual kings like Rehoboam. However, it also powerfully illustrates the principle of sowing and reaping, demonstrating how the sins of one generation, particularly those of leadership, can have lasting and detrimental consequences for subsequent generations and the entire nation. The mention of Naamah, the Ammonitess, serves as a poignant reminder that compromise with pagan influences, even seemingly minor ones, can lead to spiritual decay and divine judgment, echoing the warnings throughout the Pentateuch against intermarriage and idolatry. The verse subtly teaches that while God's promises endure, human choices profoundly impact the experience of those promises, highlighting the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

* [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage")
* [1 Kings 11:1-8](/1_kings/11-1 "1 Kings 11:1-8 - Solomon's Foreign Wives and Idolatry")
* [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Rehoboam's story, culminating in this verse, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that leadership, whether in the home, church, or community, carries immense responsibility, and our choices have ripple effects that can extend far beyond our immediate circumstances, impacting future generations. The subtle but significant detail about Naamah, the Ammonitess, serves as a powerful cautionary tale against spiritual compromise. It challenges us to examine our own lives for "foreign influences" – beliefs, practices, or relationships – that might subtly erode our devotion to God and lead us astray from His clear commands. Just as Solomon's choices impacted Rehoboam, our decisions today contribute to the spiritual legacy we leave for those who follow. This verse calls us to intentional discipleship, unwavering commitment to God's truth, and a vigilant guarding of our hearts against anything that would compromise our walk with Christ, recognizing that faithfulness in the present builds a foundation for a blessed future.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do the choices and compromises of previous generations, both positive and negative, manifest in our lives or communities today?**
* **What "foreign influences" or subtle compromises might be present in my own life or in the church that could lead to spiritual decline?**
* **In what ways can I intentionally live a life of faithfulness now, knowing that my choices contribute to a spiritual legacy for future generations?**
* **How does God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant, despite human failure, encourage me in my own struggles with sin and compromise?**

### FAQ
**Why is Naamah's ethnicity as an Ammonitess specifically mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The mention of Naamah as an Ammonitess is highly significant and not merely a genealogical detail. It serves as a theological commentary, linking Rehoboam's problematic reign and the kingdom's spiritual decline back to the foundational sin of his father, Solomon. Solomon's extensive foreign marriages, including with women from nations like Ammon, directly violated God's command against intermarriage with pagan peoples ([Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage")), which was intended to prevent the introduction of idolatry into Israel. [1 Kings 11:1-8](/1_kings/11-1 "1 Kings 11:1-8 - Solomon's Foreign Wives and Idolatry") explicitly states that Solomon's foreign wives turned his heart away from God, leading to the divine judgment of the kingdom's division. Therefore, Naamah's identity highlights the ongoing spiritual compromise within the Davidic royal line and the long-term consequences of disobedience to God's covenant.

**What does the phrase "slept with his fathers" mean in this context?**

Answer: "Slept with his fathers" is a common biblical euphemism for death, particularly for kings in the books of Kings and Chronicles. It indicates a natural, peaceful passing, as opposed to a violent or untimely death. It also often implies that the deceased was buried in the ancestral tomb, typically in the royal burial grounds. For the kings of Judah, this meant burial in the "city of David" (Jerusalem), signifying their legitimate status and continuity within the Davidic dynasty.

**Is Abijam the same person as Abijah?**

Answer: Yes, Abijam (as he is called in 1 Kings) is the same person as Abijah (as he is called in 2 Chronicles). The slight variation in spelling is a common phenomenon in biblical texts. [2 Chronicles 13:1-22](/2_chronicles/13-1 "2 Chronicles 13:1-22 - Abijah's Reign and War with Jeroboam") provides a more detailed account of his reign, including a significant battle against Jeroboam, the king of the northern kingdom of Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly mundane summary of Rehoboam's death and succession in [1 Kings 14:31](/1_kings/14-31 "1 Kings 14:31 - Rehoboam's Death and Abijam's Succession") finds its ultimate significance in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The verse, like all regnal summaries in Kings, underscores the continuity of the Davidic line, a lineage that, despite the consistent failures and compromises of kings like Rehoboam (whose mother, Naamah, an Ammonitess, points to the very sin that plagued the dynasty), God faithfully preserved. This unbroken succession was not for the sake of human kings, but for the promised "seed" of David, through whom God would establish an eternal kingdom ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David")). Jesus, as the true Son of David, is the ultimate fulfillment of this promise. His perfect life and reign contrast sharply with the flawed and compromised rule of Rehoboam, who led Judah into idolatry and weakness ([1 Kings 14:22-24](/1_kings/14-22 "1 Kings 14:22-24 - Judah's Idolatry Under Rehoboam")). While Rehoboam "slept with his fathers" in death, Jesus conquered death, rising again to establish a kingdom that will never end ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord")). The mention of Naamah's foreign origin, a reminder of the sin that led to the kingdom's division, ironically foreshadows God's redemptive plan to include Gentiles in the lineage of Christ (as seen in Matthew's genealogy, which includes foreign women like Rahab and Ruth) and ultimately in His kingdom ([Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")). Thus, 1 Kings 14:31, though detailing a flawed earthly king, points forward to the perfect, eternal King who would finally fulfill all God's promises and establish a kingdom of righteousness and peace.

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 12:16

And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.

Matthew 1:7

And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;

1 Chronicles 3:10

¶ And Solomon's son [was] Rehoboam, Abia his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,

1 Kings 11:43

And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.

1 Kings 15:24

And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead.

1 Kings 14:20

And the days which Jeroboam reigned [were] two and twenty years: and he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his stead.

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.