King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 12:21 Mean?

1 Kings 12:21 in the King James Version says “And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors , to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.

1 Kings 12:21 · KJV


Context

19

So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. rebelled: or, fell away

20

And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.

21

And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors , to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.

22

But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

23

Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of kingdom divided: rehoboam and jeroboam, within the book's focus on kingdom division as judgment for Solomon's idolatry. The temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').

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. The kingdom division (c. 930 BCE) created the northern kingdom (Israel, 10 tribes) and southern kingdom (Judah, 2 tribes).

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 can leaders today avoid Rehoboam's mistakes and lead with wisdom rather than pride?
  2. What does the kingdom division teach about the long-term consequences of generational sin and compromise?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיָּבֹ֣או1 of 27

was come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לִרְחַבְעָ֖ם2 of 27

And when Rehoboam

H7346

rechabam, an israelite king

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַם֒3 of 27

to Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וַיַּקְהֵל֩4 of 27

he assembled

H6950

to convoke

אֶת5 of 27
H853

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

כָּל6 of 27
H3605

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

בֵּ֣ית7 of 27

against the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוּדָ֜ה8 of 27

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְאֶת9 of 27
H853

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

שֵׁ֣בֶט10 of 27

with the tribe

H7626

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

בִּנְיָמִ֗ן11 of 27

of Benjamin

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

מֵאָ֨ה12 of 27

an hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וּשְׁמֹנִ֥ים13 of 27

and fourscore

H8084

eighty, also eightieth

אֶ֛לֶף14 of 27

thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

בָּח֖וּר15 of 27

chosen men

H977

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

עֹשֵׂ֣ה16 of 27

which were warriors

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

מִלְחָמָ֑ה17 of 27
H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

לְהִלָּחֵם֙18 of 27

to fight

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

עִם19 of 27
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בֵּ֣ית20 of 27

against the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל21 of 27

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְהָשִׁיב֙22 of 27

again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶת23 of 27
H853

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

הַמְּלוּכָ֔ה24 of 27

the kingdom

H4410

something ruled, i.e., a realm

לִרְחַבְעָ֖ם25 of 27

And when Rehoboam

H7346

rechabam, an israelite king

בֶּן26 of 27

the 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

שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃27 of 27

of Solomon

H8010

shelomah, david's successor


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 12:21 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 12:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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