1 Kings 12:19 - The Kingdom Divided

Audio Bible

Context

The Kingdom Divided
…18Then King Rehoboam sent out Adoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam mounted his chariot in haste and escaped to Jerusalem. 19So to this day Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David.

Cross References

2 Chronicles 10:19
So to this day Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David.2 Kings 17:21
When the LORD had torn Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin.2 Kings 12:20
And the servants of Joash rose up and formed a conspiracy and killed him at Beth-millo, on the road down to Silla.2 Kings 14:19-20
And conspirators plotted against Amaziah in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. But men were sent after him to Lachish, and they killed him there. / They carried him back on horses and buried him in Jerusalem with his fathers in the City of David.2 Kings 15:10
Then Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah, struck him down and killed him in front of the people, and reigned in his place.2 Kings 15:30
Then Hoshea son of Elah led a conspiracy against Pekah son of Remaliah. In the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah, Hoshea attacked Pekah, killed him, and reigned in his place.2 Kings 16:5
Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to wage war against Jerusalem. They besieged Ahaz but could not overcome him.2 Kings 18:5-7
Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. No king of Judah was like him, either before him or after him. / He remained faithful to the LORD and did not turn from following Him; he kept the commandments that the LORD had given Moses. / And the LORD was with Hezekiah, and he prospered wherever he went. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to serve him.2 Kings 23:27
For the LORD had said, “I will remove Judah from My sight, just as I removed Israel. I will reject this city Jerusalem, which I chose, and the temple of which I said, ‘My Name shall be there.’”Hosea 4:15-17
Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel, may Judah avoid such guilt! Do not journey to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear on oath, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’ / For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow? / Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!Hosea 5:3
I know all about Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me. For now, O Ephraim, you have turned to prostitution; Israel is defiled.Hosea 8:4
They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction.Hosea 9:17
My God will reject them because they have not obeyed Him; and they shall be wanderers among the nations.Hosea 13:16
Samaria will bear her guilt because she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open.Matthew 12:25
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

1 Samuel 10:19
And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.

2 Kings 17:21
For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.

2 Chronicles 10:19
And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

rebelled.

1 Kings 6:6
The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house.

Joshua 4:9
And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.

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1 Kings 12

So to this day
This phrase indicates the ongoing nature of the division between the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. The split occurred after the reign of Solomon, around 930 BC, and persisted throughout the biblical narrative. The phrase "to this day" suggests that the division was still recognized at the time of the writing of 1 Kings, which is traditionally attributed to the period of the Babylonian exile. This enduring division highlights the long-lasting consequences of disobedience and poor leadership decisions.

Israel has been in rebellion
The term "rebellion" refers to the northern tribes' rejection of Rehoboam, Solomon's son, as their king. This rebellion was sparked by Rehoboam's harsh response to the people's request for lighter burdens, leading to Jeroboam's rise as the leader of the northern tribes. Theologically, this rebellion can be seen as a fulfillment of God's judgment on Solomon's idolatry and disobedience, as prophesied by Ahijah the Shilonite (1 Kings 11:29-39). The rebellion also signifies a spiritual departure from the Davidic covenant, which promised a united kingdom under David's lineage.

against the house of David
The "house of David" refers to the dynastic line established by God through David, with promises of an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-16). The division of the kingdom represents a significant breach in the unity of the Israelite nation, which was meant to be a single entity under Davidic rule. This division foreshadows the eventual coming of Jesus Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant, who would unite all believers under His eternal kingship (Luke 1:32-33). The rebellion against the house of David also serves as a reminder of the human tendency to reject God's chosen leadership, a theme that recurs throughout biblical history.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Israel
Refers to the ten northern tribes that broke away from the united kingdom of Israel after the reign of Solomon. This division marked a significant turning point in the history of the Israelites.

2. House of David
Represents the lineage of King David, which continued to rule over the southern kingdom of Judah. The division of the kingdom was a fulfillment of God's judgment due to Solomon's idolatry.

3. Rehoboam
Solomon's son and successor, whose harsh policies and refusal to listen to wise counsel led to the division of the kingdom.

4. Jeroboam
The first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, who led the ten tribes in rebellion against Rehoboam's rule.

5. Shechem
The place where Rehoboam went to be crowned king over all Israel, and where the rebellion against his rule was solidified.

Teaching Points

The Consequences of Disobedience
The division of the kingdom was a direct result of Solomon's disobedience to God's commands. This serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's Word.

The Importance of Wise Counsel
Rehoboam's failure to heed the advice of the elders led to disastrous consequences. This highlights the value of seeking and listening to wise, godly counsel in decision-making.

Unity in the Body of Christ
Just as the division weakened Israel, division within the church can hinder its mission. Believers are called to strive for unity and peace within the body of Christ.

God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs
Despite human failures and rebellion, God's sovereign plan continues to unfold. The division of the kingdom was part of God's larger redemptive plan, ultimately leading to the coming of Christ.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 12How credible is the historical claim in 1 Kings 12:19 that Israel permanently rebelled against the Davidic dynasty? How does wisdom contribute to building a house?Psalm 21:7: If the king indeed “shall not be moved,” how do we explain other biblical accounts where kings of Israel fell from power or faced defeat? Who were Rehoboam and Jeroboam in biblical history?

(19) Unto this day.--The phrase argues the incorporation into the narrative of an older document.

Verse 19. - So Israel rebelled [lit., fell away (marg.) The common secondary meaning of the word is to transgress. Its use here may perhaps suggest that their rebellion was not without sin] against the house of David unto this day (see on 1 Kings 8:8)]. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

So to
עַ֖ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

this
הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

day
הַיּ֥וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

has been in rebellion
וַיִּפְשְׁע֤וּ (way·yip̄·šə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6586: To break away, trespass, apostatize, quarrel

against the house
בְּבֵ֣ית (bə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of David.
דָּוִ֔ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

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1 Kings 12:19 Catholic BibleOT History: 1 Kings 12:19 So Israel rebelled against the house (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)