1 Kings 14:21
And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
Original Language Analysis
בֶּן
old
H1121
בֶּן
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 31
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מָלַ֣ךְ
and he reigned
H4427
מָלַ֣ךְ
and he reigned
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
4 of 31
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה
in Judah
H3063
בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה
in Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
5 of 31
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
בֶּן
old
H1121
בֶּן
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 31
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְאַחַ֣ת
and one
H259
וְאַחַ֣ת
and one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
8 of 31
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
מָלַ֣ךְ
and he reigned
H4427
מָלַ֣ךְ
and he reigned
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
11 of 31
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
וּֽשֲׁבַ֨ע
seventeen
H7651
וּֽשֲׁבַ֨ע
seventeen
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
12 of 31
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה
H6240
עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
13 of 31
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
מָלַ֣ךְ
and he reigned
H4427
מָלַ֣ךְ
and he reigned
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
15 of 31
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם
in Jerusalem
H3389
בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם
in Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
16 of 31
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
הָ֠עִיר
the city
H5892
הָ֠עִיר
the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
17 of 31
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֜ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
20 of 31
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לָשׂ֨וּם
to put
H7760
לָשׂ֨וּם
to put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
21 of 31
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
22 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְשֵׁ֣ם
his ~
H8034
וְשֵׁ֣ם
his ~
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
23 of 31
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
שָׁם֙
H8033
מִכֹּל֙
H3605
מִכֹּל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
25 of 31
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שִׁבְטֵ֣י
out of all the tribes
H7626
שִׁבְטֵ֣י
out of all the tribes
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
26 of 31
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
27 of 31
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְשֵׁ֣ם
his ~
H8034
וְשֵׁ֣ם
his ~
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
28 of 31
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
אִמּ֔וֹ
there And his mother's
H517
אִמּ֔וֹ
there And his mother's
Strong's:
H517
Word #:
29 of 31
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
Cross References
2 Chronicles 12:13So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.1 Kings 11:36And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.1 Kings 14:31And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess. And Abijam his son reigned in his stead.
Historical Context
First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. This period (c. 930-850 BCE) saw rapid succession and instability, especially in the northern kingdom.
Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
- What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of jeroboam's judgment and rehoboam's reign, within the book's focus on spiritual decline of both kingdoms under various rulers.
The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.