1 Kings 12:21

Authorized King James Version

And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיָּבֹ֣או

H935

was come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לִרְחַבְעָ֖ם

H7346

And when Rehoboam

rechabam, an israelite king

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַם֒

H3389

to Jerusalem

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וַיַּקְהֵל֩

H6950

he assembled

to convoke

אֶת

H853

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

כָּל

H3605

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

בֵּ֣ית

H1004

against the house

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

יְהוּדָ֜ה

H3063

of Judah

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

וְאֶת

H853

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

#10

שֵׁ֣בֶט

H7626

with the tribe

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

#11

בִּנְיָמִ֗ן

H1144

of Benjamin

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

#12

מֵאָ֨ה

H3967

an hundred

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

#13

וּשְׁמֹנִ֥ים

H8084

and fourscore

eighty, also eightieth

#14

אֶ֛לֶף

H505

thousand

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

#15

בָּח֖וּר

H977

chosen men

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

#16

עֹשֵׂ֣ה

H6213

which were warriors

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#17

מִלְחָמָ֑ה

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

#18

לְהִלָּחֵם֙

H3898

to fight

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

#19

עִם

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#20

בֵּ֣ית

H1004

against the house

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

#21

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

H3478

of Israel

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

#22

לְהָשִׁיב֙

H7725

again

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

#23

אֶת

H853

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

#24

הַמְּלוּכָ֔ה

H4410

the kingdom

something ruled, i.e., a realm

#25

לִרְחַבְעָ֖ם

H7346

And when Rehoboam

rechabam, an israelite king

#26

בֶּן

H1121

the son

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#27

שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃

H8010

of Solomon

shelomah, david's successor

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing kingdom relates to eschatology and the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive plan and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show imperial and royal imagery familiar to subjects of ancient monarchies, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from earthly theocracy through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does understanding kingdom in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about kingdom of God?
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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