King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 14:21 Mean?

1 Kings 14:21 in the King James Version says “And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he re... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.

1 Kings 14:21 · KJV


Context

19

And the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred, and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

20

And the days which Jeroboam reigned were two and twenty years: and he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his stead. slept: Heb. lay down

21

And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.

22

And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.

23

For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree. images: or, standing images, or, statues


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.

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 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 · 31 words
רְחַבְעָ֨ם1 of 31

And Rehoboam

H7346

rechabam, an israelite king

בֶּן2 of 31

old

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

שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה3 of 31

of Solomon

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

מָלַ֣ךְ4 of 31

and he reigned

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה5 of 31

in Judah

H3063

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

בֶּן6 of 31

old

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

אַרְבָּעִ֣ים7 of 31

was forty

H705

forty

וְאַחַ֣ת8 of 31

and one

H259

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

שָׁנָ֣ה׀9 of 31

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

רְחַבְעָ֨ם10 of 31

And Rehoboam

H7346

rechabam, an israelite king

מָלַ֣ךְ11 of 31

and he reigned

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

וּֽשֲׁבַ֨ע12 of 31

seventeen

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה13 of 31
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

שָׁנָ֣ה׀14 of 31

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

מָלַ֣ךְ15 of 31

and he reigned

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם16 of 31

in Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

הָ֠עִיר17 of 31

the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

אֲשֶׁר18 of 31
H834

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

בָּחַ֨ר19 of 31

did choose

H977

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

יְהוָ֜ה20 of 31

which the LORD

H3068

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

לָשׂ֨וּם21 of 31

to put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶת22 of 31
H853

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

וְשֵׁ֣ם23 of 31

his ~

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

שָׁם֙24 of 31
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

מִכֹּל֙25 of 31
H3605

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

שִׁבְטֵ֣י26 of 31

out of all the tribes

H7626

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל27 of 31

of Israel

H3478

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

וְשֵׁ֣ם28 of 31

his ~

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אִמּ֔וֹ29 of 31

there And his mother's

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

נַֽעֲמָ֖ה30 of 31

was Naamah

H5279

naamah, the name of a place in palestine

הָֽעַמֹּנִֽית׃31 of 31

an Ammonitess

H5985

an ammonitess


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 14:21 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 14:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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