1 Kings 12:16
So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.
Original Language Analysis
רְאֵ֥ה
now see
H7200
רְאֵ֥ה
now see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 31
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 31
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
O Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
O Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 31
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כִּ֠י
H3588
כִּ֠י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 31
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 31
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמַ֣ע
hearkened
H8085
שָׁמַ֣ע
hearkened
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
6 of 31
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וַיָּשִׁ֣בוּ
So
H7725
וַיָּשִׁ֣בוּ
So
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
9 of 31
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
הָעָ֣ם
not unto them the people
H5971
הָעָ֣ם
not unto them the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
10 of 31
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דָּבָ֣ר׀
answered
H1697
דָּבָ֣ר׀
answered
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
13 of 31
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
15 of 31
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 31
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נַחֲלָ֣ה
neither have we inheritance
H5159
נַחֲלָ֣ה
neither have we inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
20 of 31
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
בְּבֶן
in the son
H1121
בְּבֶן
in the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
21 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
לְאֹֽהָלָֽיו׃
to your tents
H168
לְאֹֽהָלָֽיו׃
to your tents
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
23 of 31
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
O Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
O Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
24 of 31
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עַתָּ֕ה
H6258
רְאֵ֥ה
now see
H7200
רְאֵ֥ה
now see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
26 of 31
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
בֵֽיתְךָ֖
to thine own house
H1004
בֵֽיתְךָ֖
to thine own house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
27 of 31
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ
H1980
וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
29 of 31
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
2 Samuel 20:1And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.Jeremiah 33:21Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.2 Chronicles 10:16And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents.
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. The kingdom division (c. 930 BCE) created the northern kingdom (Israel, 10 tribes) and southern kingdom (Judah, 2 tribes).
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 can leaders today avoid Rehoboam's mistakes and lead with wisdom rather than pride?
- What does the kingdom division teach about the long-term consequences of generational sin and compromise?
- 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
So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of kingdom divided: rehoboam and jeroboam, within the book's focus on kingdom division as judgment for Solomon's idolatry. 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.