1 Kings 12:20

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיְהִ֞י

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִּשְׁמֹ֤עַ

H8085

heard

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

H3478

And it came to pass when all Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

שָׁ֣ב

H7725

was come again

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

יָֽרָבְעָ֔ם

H3379

that Jeroboam

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

וַֽיִּשְׁלְח֗וּ

H7971

that they sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וַיִּקְרְא֤וּ

H7121

and called

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

#10

אֹתוֹ֙

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#11

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#12

הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה

H5712

him unto the congregation

a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

#13

וַיַּמְלִ֥יכוּ

H4427

and made him king

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

#14

אֹת֖וֹ

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#15

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#16

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#17

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

H3478

And it came to pass when all Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#18

לֹ֤א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#19

הָיָה֙

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#20

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י

H310

there was none that followed

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

#21

בֵית

H1004

the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#22

דָּוִ֔ד

H1732

of David

david, the youngest son of jesse

#23

זֽוּלָתִ֥י

H2108

but

probably scattering, i.e., removal; used adverbially, except

#24

שֵֽׁבֶט

H7626

the tribe

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

#25

יְהוּדָ֖ה

H3063

of Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

#26

לְבַדּֽוֹ׃

H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this verse's literary context within 1 Kings chapter 12 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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