1 kings 11:34 - “‘However I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand; but I will make him prince all the days of his life, for David my servant’s sake whom I chose, who kept my commandments and my statutes;
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What does "1 kings 11:34" mean?
This verse from 1 Kings 11:34 is part of a prophecy regarding Solomon's son, Rehoboam, and the division of the kingdom of Israel. Let's break down what it means:
"However I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand...": God is speaking, and He is referring to the kingdom that Solomon ruled. He's saying that He won't completely remove the kingdom from Rehoboam, Solomon's son and heir. Because of Solomon's disobedience by worshipping foreign gods and marrying foreign wives, the kingdom should be taken away entirely.
"...but I will make him prince all the days of his life...": Rehoboam will still be ruler ("prince") for the rest of his life. He won't be entirely powerless. He will still reign over a portion of the kingdom.
"...for David my servant's sake whom I chose...": This is a key element of the verse. The reason God is showing this leniency to Rehoboam is not because Rehoboam is worthy or righteous, but because of God's promise to David, Solomon's father. God had made a covenant with David, promising that his descendants would always have a kingdom to rule.
"...who kept my commandments and my statutes.": This reinforces the contrast between David and Solomon. David, though not perfect, was generally obedient to God's laws. God is honoring his promise to David because of David's faithfulness. Solomon, on the other hand, strayed from God's ways, thus incurring the consequences of a divided kingdom.
In summary, the verse means:
Despite Solomon's sin, God will not completely strip his son Rehoboam of the kingdom. Rehoboam will remain a ruler (prince) for his entire life. God is doing this not because Rehoboam deserves it or because he is special in any way, but as a testament to His faithfulness to His covenant with David, who generally kept God's commandments. This is an act of mercy and grace towards David and it means that part of the kingdom will still exist under David's lineage. The Kingdom will be divided, and Rehoboam would only control part of it.
Context and Significance:
This verse is important because it sets the stage for the division of the kingdom of Israel into two parts:
Judah: Ruled by Rehoboam and David's descendants.
Israel: Ruled by Jeroboam, a leader who rebelled against Rehoboam.
This division had significant political, religious, and social consequences for the Israelites and is a major turning point in their history. It also illustrates God's justice (punishing Solomon's sin) and His mercy (honoring His covenant with David).
1 kings 11:34 - “‘However I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand; but I will make him prince all the days of his life, for David my servant’s sake whom I chose, who kept my commandments and my statutes;
What does "1 kings 11:34" mean?
This verse from 1 Kings 11:34 is part of a prophecy regarding Solomon's son, Rehoboam, and the division of the kingdom of Israel. Let's break down what it means:
"However I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand...": God is speaking, and He is referring to the kingdom that Solomon ruled. He's saying that He won't completely remove the kingdom from Rehoboam, Solomon's son and heir. Because of Solomon's disobedience by worshipping foreign gods and marrying foreign wives, the kingdom should be taken away entirely.
"...but I will make him prince all the days of his life...": Rehoboam will still be ruler ("prince") for the rest of his life. He won't be entirely powerless. He will still reign over a portion of the kingdom.
"...for David my servant's sake whom I chose...": This is a key element of the verse. The reason God is showing this leniency to Rehoboam is not because Rehoboam is worthy or righteous, but because of God's promise to David, Solomon's father. God had made a covenant with David, promising that his descendants would always have a kingdom to rule.
"...who kept my commandments and my statutes.": This reinforces the contrast between David and Solomon. David, though not perfect, was generally obedient to God's laws. God is honoring his promise to David because of David's faithfulness. Solomon, on the other hand, strayed from God's ways, thus incurring the consequences of a divided kingdom.
In summary, the verse means:
Despite Solomon's sin, God will not completely strip his son Rehoboam of the kingdom. Rehoboam will remain a ruler (prince) for his entire life. God is doing this not because Rehoboam deserves it or because he is special in any way, but as a testament to His faithfulness to His covenant with David, who generally kept God's commandments. This is an act of mercy and grace towards David and it means that part of the kingdom will still exist under David's lineage. The Kingdom will be divided, and Rehoboam would only control part of it.
Context and Significance:
This verse is important because it sets the stage for the division of the kingdom of Israel into two parts:
Judah: Ruled by Rehoboam and David's descendants.
Israel: Ruled by Jeroboam, a leader who rebelled against Rehoboam.
This division had significant political, religious, and social consequences for the Israelites and is a major turning point in their history. It also illustrates God's justice (punishing Solomon's sin) and His mercy (honoring His covenant with David).