1 Kings 11:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Lord will not tear away the whole kingdom but will leave one tribe to Solomon's son, for David's sake and for Jerusalem's.
What Does 1 Kings 11:13 Mean?
The mercy is further defined. The Lord will not rend away the entire kingdom; one tribe will remain to Solomon's son. Two reasons are given, and both look beyond Solomon: for David His servant's sake, and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city the Lord has chosen. The judgment is bounded by promise.
God's discipline always operates within His larger faithfulness. He chastens, but He preserves a remnant; He tears, but He keeps a seed. The one tribe left to David's line is the thread by which the promise of an everlasting throne is held intact, the line through which the Messiah will come. Jerusalem, the chosen city, will remain the place where God sets His name. Even in judgment, God guards the channel of redemption, refusing to let human failure undo His saving purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 11:13
What does 1 Kings 11:13 mean?
The Lord will not tear away the whole kingdom but will leave one tribe to Solomon's son, for David's sake and for Jerusalem's.