1 Kings 14:8
And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;
Original Language Analysis
וָֽאֶקְרַ֤ע
And rent
H7167
וָֽאֶקְרַ֤ע
And rent
Strong's:
H7167
Word #:
1 of 23
to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמַּמְלָכָה֙
the kingdom
H4467
הַמַּמְלָכָה֙
the kingdom
Strong's:
H4467
Word #:
3 of 23
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
מִבֵּ֣ית
from the house
H1004
מִבֵּ֣ית
from the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
4 of 23
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וָֽאֶתְּנֶ֖הָ
and gave
H5414
וָֽאֶתְּנֶ֖הָ
and gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
6 of 23
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָיִ֜יתָ
H1961
הָיִ֜יתָ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְּעַבְדִּ֣י
it thee and yet thou hast not been as my servant
H5650
כְּעַבְדִּ֣י
it thee and yet thou hast not been as my servant
Strong's:
H5650
Word #:
10 of 23
a servant
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁמַ֨ר
who kept
H8104
שָׁמַ֨ר
who kept
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
13 of 23
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
מִצְוֹתַ֜י
my commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹתַ֜י
my commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
14 of 23
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
וַֽאֲשֶׁר
H834
וַֽאֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָלַ֤ךְ
and who followed
H1980
הָלַ֤ךְ
and who followed
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
16 of 23
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אַֽחֲרַי֙
H310
אַֽחֲרַי֙
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לְבָב֔וֹ
me with all his heart
H3824
לְבָב֔וֹ
me with all his heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
19 of 23
the heart (as the most interior organ)
לַֽעֲשׂ֕וֹת
to do
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֕וֹת
to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
20 of 23
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
רַ֖ק
H7535
רַ֖ק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
Cross References
1 Kings 15:5Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.Acts 13:22And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.Acts 13:36For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:2 Chronicles 17:3And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;2 Chronicles 28:1Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father:
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 rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;
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 temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').
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.