King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 11:13 Mean?

1 Kings 11:13 in the King James Version says “Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Je... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.

1 Kings 11:13 · KJV


Context

11

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. is done: Heb. is with thee

12

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.

13

Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.

14

And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom.

15

For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of solomon's apostasy and death, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy.

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did Solomon's disobedience to God's clear commands lead to his downfall, and what warnings does this provide?
  2. What role do relationships and alliances play in either strengthening or compromising our faith?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
רַ֤ק1 of 17

Howbeit

H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

אֶת2 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל3 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַמַּמְלָכָה֙4 of 17

all the kingdom

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

לֹ֣א5 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֶקְרָ֔ע6 of 17

I will not rend away

H7167

to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)

שֵׁ֥בֶט7 of 17

tribe

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

אֶחָ֖ד8 of 17

one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

אֶתֵּ֣ן9 of 17

but will give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִבְנֶ֑ךָ10 of 17

to thy son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

לְמַ֙עַן֙11 of 17
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

דָּוִ֣ד12 of 17

for David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

עַבְדִּ֔י13 of 17

my servant's

H5650

a servant

וּלְמַ֥עַן14 of 17
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם15 of 17

sake and for Jerusalem's

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אֲשֶׁ֥ר16 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּחָֽרְתִּי׃17 of 17

sake which I have chosen

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 11:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 11:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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