1 Kings Chapter 14 · Verse 30

Authorized King James Version

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And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.

Original Language Analysis

וּמִלְחָמָ֨ה And there was war H4421
וּמִלְחָמָ֨ה And there was war
Strong's: H4421
Word #: 1 of 8
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
הָֽיְתָ֧ה H1961
הָֽיְתָ֧ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 2 of 8
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בֵין H996
בֵין
Strong's: H996
Word #: 3 of 8
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
רְחַבְעָ֛ם between Rehoboam H7346
רְחַבְעָ֛ם between Rehoboam
Strong's: H7346
Word #: 4 of 8
rechabam, an israelite king
וּבֵ֥ין H996
וּבֵ֥ין
Strong's: H996
Word #: 5 of 8
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
יָֽרָבְעָ֖ם and Jeroboam H3379
יָֽרָבְעָ֖ם and Jeroboam
Strong's: H3379
Word #: 6 of 8
jarobam, the name of two israelite kings
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 7 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיָּמִֽים׃ all their days H3117
הַיָּמִֽים׃ all their days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 8 of 8
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Analysis & Commentary

And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.

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.

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