1 Kings 12:20
And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֞י
H1961
וַיְהִ֞י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּשְׁמֹ֤עַ
heard
H8085
כִּשְׁמֹ֤עַ
heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 26
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
And it came to pass when all Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
And it came to pass when all Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שָׁ֣ב
was come again
H7725
שָׁ֣ב
was come again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
6 of 26
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וַֽיִּשְׁלְח֗וּ
that they sent
H7971
וַֽיִּשְׁלְח֗וּ
that they sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
8 of 26
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וַיִּקְרְא֤וּ
and called
H7121
וַיִּקְרְא֤וּ
and called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
9 of 26
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
אֹתוֹ֙
H853
אֹתוֹ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה
him unto the congregation
H5712
הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה
him unto the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
12 of 26
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
וַיַּמְלִ֥יכוּ
and made him king
H4427
וַיַּמְלִ֥יכוּ
and made him king
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
13 of 26
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
אֹת֖וֹ
H853
אֹת֖וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
16 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
And it came to pass when all Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
And it came to pass when all Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
17 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָיָה֙
H1961
הָיָה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
19 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
there was none that followed
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
there was none that followed
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
20 of 26
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
בֵית
the house
H1004
בֵית
the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
21 of 26
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
זֽוּלָתִ֥י
but
H2108
זֽוּלָתִ֥י
but
Strong's:
H2108
Word #:
23 of 26
probably scattering, i.e., removal; used adverbially, except
שֵֽׁבֶט
the tribe
H7626
שֵֽׁבֶט
the tribe
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
24 of 26
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
Cross References
1 Kings 11:32(But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)1 Kings 11:13Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.
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
And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.
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.