1 kings 11:31 - He said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces; for Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to you
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "1 kings 11:31" mean?
This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative of 1 Kings, signaling the impending division of the Kingdom of Israel. Let's break down its meaning:
"He said to Jeroboam...": The "He" refers to the prophet Ahijah. Ahijah is acting as a messenger of God, delivering a prophecy to Jeroboam.
"...Take ten pieces...": Ahijah tears his new cloak into twelve pieces and tells Jeroboam to take ten. This symbolic act represents the future splitting of the kingdom.
"...for Yahweh, the God of Israel, says...": This phrase emphasizes that the message is not Ahijah's own, but a direct decree from God. It underscores the divine authority behind the prophecy. "Yahweh" is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing the personal relationship God has with Israel.
"...'Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon...": God is declaring that he will take the kingdom away from Solomon's dynasty. This is a punishment for Solomon's idolatry, as he allowed the worship of foreign gods in Israel, influenced by his many foreign wives (1 Kings 11:1-8). The verb "tear" implies a violent and disruptive separation.
"...and will give ten tribes to you...": God will give Jeroboam control over ten of the twelve tribes of Israel. This means Jeroboam will become the king of the northern part of the divided kingdom.
In summary, the verse signifies:
1. Divine Judgment: Solomon's sins have angered God, leading to the loss of a significant portion of the kingdom.
2. Division of the Kingdom: The united kingdom of Israel will be split into two: a northern kingdom (Israel) ruled by Jeroboam and a southern kingdom (Judah) ruled by Solomon's descendants.
3. Jeroboam's Elevation: Jeroboam, who was an official under Solomon, is chosen by God to lead the northern kingdom.
4. Prophetic Fulfillment: This verse is a prophecy that will be fulfilled in the next chapter.
This verse is crucial because it explains the reason for the division of the kingdom, introduces Jeroboam as a key figure, and sets the stage for the subsequent history of Israel and Judah. It highlights the consequences of disobedience to God and the role of prophecy in shaping the history of the nation.
1 kings 11:31 - He said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces; for Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to you
What does "1 kings 11:31" mean?
This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative of 1 Kings, signaling the impending division of the Kingdom of Israel. Let's break down its meaning:
"He said to Jeroboam...": The "He" refers to the prophet Ahijah. Ahijah is acting as a messenger of God, delivering a prophecy to Jeroboam.
"...Take ten pieces...": Ahijah tears his new cloak into twelve pieces and tells Jeroboam to take ten. This symbolic act represents the future splitting of the kingdom.
"...for Yahweh, the God of Israel, says...": This phrase emphasizes that the message is not Ahijah's own, but a direct decree from God. It underscores the divine authority behind the prophecy. "Yahweh" is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing the personal relationship God has with Israel.
"...'Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon...": God is declaring that he will take the kingdom away from Solomon's dynasty. This is a punishment for Solomon's idolatry, as he allowed the worship of foreign gods in Israel, influenced by his many foreign wives (1 Kings 11:1-8). The verb "tear" implies a violent and disruptive separation.
"...and will give ten tribes to you...": God will give Jeroboam control over ten of the twelve tribes of Israel. This means Jeroboam will become the king of the northern part of the divided kingdom.
In summary, the verse signifies:
1. Divine Judgment: Solomon's sins have angered God, leading to the loss of a significant portion of the kingdom.
2. Division of the Kingdom: The united kingdom of Israel will be split into two: a northern kingdom (Israel) ruled by Jeroboam and a southern kingdom (Judah) ruled by Solomon's descendants.
3. Jeroboam's Elevation: Jeroboam, who was an official under Solomon, is chosen by God to lead the northern kingdom.
4. Prophetic Fulfillment: This verse is a prophecy that will be fulfilled in the next chapter.
This verse is crucial because it explains the reason for the division of the kingdom, introduces Jeroboam as a key figure, and sets the stage for the subsequent history of Israel and Judah. It highlights the consequences of disobedience to God and the role of prophecy in shaping the history of the nation.