King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 14:13 Mean?

1 Kings 14:13 in the King James Version says “And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there ... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.

1 Kings 14:13 · KJV


Context

11

Him that dieth of Jeroboam in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat: for the LORD hath spoken it.

12

Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own house: and when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die.

13

And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.

14

Moreover the LORD shall raise him up a king over Israel, who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam that day: but what? even now.

15

For the LORD shall smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, and he shall root up Israel out of this good land, which he gave to their fathers, and shall scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their groves, provoking the LORD to anger.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of jeroboam's judgment and rehoboam's reign, within the book's focus on spiritual decline of both kingdoms under various rulers. 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. This period (c. 930-850 BCE) saw rapid succession and instability, especially in the northern kingdom.

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 does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
  2. What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְסָֽפְדוּ1 of 24

shall mourn

H5594

properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as middle easterners do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail

ל֤וֹ2 of 24
H0
כָל3 of 24
H3605

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל4 of 24

And all Israel

H3478

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

וְקָֽבְר֣וּ5 of 24

for him and bury

H6912

to inter

אֹת֔וֹ6 of 24
H853

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

כִּי7 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

זֶ֣ה8 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לְבַדּ֔וֹ9 of 24
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

יָבֹ֥א10 of 24

shall come

H935

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

יָֽרָבְעָֽם׃11 of 24

him for he only of Jeroboam

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

אֶל12 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

קָ֑בֶר13 of 24

to the grave

H6913

a sepulcher

יַ֣עַן14 of 24
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

נִמְצָא15 of 24

because in him there is found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

ב֞וֹ16 of 24
H0
דָּבָ֣ר17 of 24

thing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

ט֗וֹב18 of 24

some good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

אֶל19 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֛ה20 of 24

toward the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֥י21 of 24

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל22 of 24

And all Israel

H3478

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

בְּבֵ֥ית23 of 24

in the house

H1004

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

יָֽרָבְעָֽם׃24 of 24

him for he only of Jeroboam

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings


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 14:13 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 14:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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