1 Kings 11:33-38

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 11:33

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:38

And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee ,.... And be obedient thereunto: and wilt walk in my ways ; directed to in the law of Moses: and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes, and my commandments ; those particularly respecting divine worship: as David my servant did ; who very diligently and constantly attended to the ordinances of religion: that I will be with thee ; to guide and direct, protect and defend, prosper and succeed: and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 11:36

That David my servant may have a light alway - That his posterity may never fail, and the regal line never become extinct. This, as we have already seen, was in reference to the Messiah. He was not only David's light, but he was a light to enlighten the Gentiles. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 11:37

According to all that thy soul desireth - It appears from this that Jeroboam had affected the kingdom, and was seeking for an opportunity to seize on the government. God now tells him, by his prophet, what he shall have, and what he shall not have, in order to prevent him from attempting to seize on the whole kingdom, to the prejudice of the spiritual seed of David. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 11:38

And build thee a sure house - He would have continued his posterity on the throne of Israel, had he not by his wickedness forfeited the promises of God, and thrown himself out of the protection of the Most High. read more

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