1 Kings 12:24 Meaning and Explanation
“Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God forbids the war, declaring the division is from Him, and the people obey and return home.
What Does 1 Kings 12:24 Mean?
The word is clear and commanding: do not go up, do not fight your brethren, for "this thing is from me." The Lord calls the divided tribes brothers and forbids the bloodshed. And this time, remarkably, the people listen — they heed the word of the Lord and turn back, each man to his house. Obedience succeeds where pride had failed.
Here the chapter offers a glimpse of grace. Where Rehoboam once refused good counsel, the nation now bows to God's word and disaster is averted. The Lord restrains violence among kindred and calls His people brothers even in their division. To hearken and obey is the path that spares and heals. When at last we yield to His voice, He turns us from ruin toward peace.
1 Kings 12:24 in the Original Language
shama' (שָׁמַע), 'to hearken' -- to hear with the intent to obey; the people's hearing here is the very thing Rehoboam earlier refused to do.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 12:24
What does 1 Kings 12:24 mean?
God forbids the war, declaring the division is from Him, and the people obey and return home.