Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

1 Kings 11:31

Next

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:

And he said {H559} to Jeroboam {H3379}, Take {H3947} thee ten {H6235} pieces {H7168}: for thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, Behold, I will rend {H7167} the kingdom {H4467} out of the hand {H3027} of Solomon {H8010}, and will give {H5414} ten {H6235} tribes {H7626} to thee:

Then he said to Yarov'am, "Take ten pieces for yourself! For here is what ADONAI the God of Isra'el says: 'I am going to tear the kingdom out of Shlomo's hand, and I will give ten tribes to you.

and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes.

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

Commentary

1 Kings 11:31 marks a pivotal moment in the history of ancient Israel, delivering a divine prophecy that would fundamentally reshape the kingdom established by King David and brought to its zenith by Solomon.

Context

This verse comes after a period of immense prosperity and peace under King Solomon's reign, but also after his significant moral decline. Despite his initial devotion and wisdom, Solomon, in his later years, turned away from the LORD by building altars for and worshipping the gods of his many foreign wives, which was a direct violation of God's commands (see 1 Kings 11:9-10). As a consequence of this idolatry and disobedience, God raised up adversaries against Solomon. The prophet Ahijah of Shiloh meets Jeroboam, an ambitious and capable servant of Solomon, and delivers this startling message. The symbolic act of tearing a new garment into twelve pieces and giving ten to Jeroboam (as described in the preceding verse, 1 Kings 11:30) visually represents the impending division of the united kingdom.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences of Disobedience: The verse powerfully illustrates that even a king as blessed and wise as Solomon is not immune to God's judgment when he disobeys His commands. Solomon's personal sin had national repercussions, leading to the rending of the kingdom he inherited.
  • Sovereignty of God: Despite the human actions and political maneuvering that would follow, the prophecy emphasizes that it is the LORD who "will rend the kingdom" and "will give ten tribes to thee." This underscores God's ultimate control over human history and political outcomes, even in judgment.
  • Prophecy and Fulfillment: Ahijah's words are a direct declaration from "the LORD, the God of Israel," ensuring its future fulfillment. This prophecy sets the stage for the permanent division of the kingdom of Israel into two separate entities: the Northern Kingdom (Israel, comprising ten tribes, ruled by Jeroboam) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah, comprising the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, remaining with the house of David).
  • God's Faithfulness to His Covenant (Implicit): While this verse speaks of judgment, the fact that two tribes are reserved for the house of David (mentioned in 1 Kings 11:32) subtly points to God's enduring covenant with King David's lineage, ensuring that a lamp would always remain for him in Jerusalem.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "rend" (קָרַע - qara') implies a forceful, violent tearing, emphasizing the decisive and irrevocable nature of God's action in dividing the kingdom. It's not a gradual decline but a sharp, definitive split orchestrated by divine will.

Practical Application

1 Kings 11:31 serves as a powerful reminder that privilege and position do not exempt individuals from accountability to God. It highlights the serious consequences of spiritual compromise and idolatry, not just for the individual but for their sphere of influence. For believers today, it underscores the importance of wholehearted devotion to God and remaining faithful to His commands, recognizing that our choices have far-reaching implications. It also reassures us of God's sovereign control, even when human leadership fails or difficult circumstances arise, knowing that His ultimate plan will 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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • 1 Kings 11:11 (4 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Kings 11:12 (4 votes)

    Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: [but] I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.