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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 11:26-40

We have here the first mention of that infamous name Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that made Israel to sin; he is here brought upon the stage as an adversary to Solomon, whom God had expressly told (1 Kgs. 11:11) that he would give the greatest part of his kingdom to his servant, and Jeroboam was the man. We have here an account, I. Of his extraction, 1 Kgs. 11:26. He was of the tribe of Ephraim, he next in honour to Judah. His mother was a widow, to whom Providence had made up the loss of a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:29

And it came to pass at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem ,.... Either to enter upon his new office: or having been with Solomon to pay in the revenues, and to make up his accounts with him was going back to the country to do the duty of his office: that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way ; not accidentally, but purposely was in the way to meet him, and converse with him; this prophet was of the city of Shiloh, and where was now his abode, see 1 Kings 14:2... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:30

And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him ,.... This looks as if it was Jeroboam's garment, having got a new one to appear before the king in; though the sense may be this, that the prophet took hold of his own garment that was upon himself: and rent it in twelve pieces ; as symbolical of the twelve tribes of Israel. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:31

And he said to Jeroboam, take thee ten pieces ,.... Of the twelve, an emblem of the ten tribes he was to have: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon ; that is, out of his family: and will give ten tribes unto thee ; to rule over. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:32

But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake ,.... See Gill on 1 Kings 11:13 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:33

Because that they have forsaken me ,.... My worship, as the Targum; both Solomon and the children of Israel following his example; which is not to be wondered at, considering how prone they always were to idolatry: and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon ; of which deities; see Gill on 1 Kings 11:5 , 1 Kings 11:7 . and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:34

Howbeit, I will not take the kingdom out of his hand ,.... Not any part of it, 1 Kings 11:12 , but I will make him prince all the days of his life ; that is, he shall continue to hold the government of all the tribes so long as he lives: for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes ; see 1 Kings 11:12 , or was well pleased with, as the Targum; for keeping the commands of God from right principles, and with right views, is well... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:35

But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand ,.... All but the tribes of Judah and Benjamin: and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes : signified by ten pieces of the rent garment he had given him, 1 Kings 11:31 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:36

And unto his son will I give one tribe ,.... Judah and Benjamin reckoned as one; See Gill on 1 Kings 11:13 , that David my servant may have a light always before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there; or a kingdom, as the Targum; or an illustrious prince, a successor, shining in royal majesty and glory, to guide and direct, cheer and comfort, the people of Israel; be an honour to David's family, and a means of continuing the pure worship of God in the temple... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:37

And I will take thee ,.... From the low estate in which he was, to be king: and thou shall reign according to all that thy soul desireth ; he being ambitious of the kingdom, and having already formed in his mind some designs upon it: and shall be king over Israel ; the ten tribes. read more

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