1 Kings Chapter 12 · Verse 30
And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֛י
H1961
וַיְהִ֛י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 10
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַדָּבָ֥ר
And this thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֥ר
And this thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 10
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
לְחַטָּ֑את
became a sin
H2403
לְחַטָּ֑את
became a sin
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
4 of 10
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
וַיֵּֽלְכ֥וּ
H1980
וַיֵּֽלְכ֥וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
5 of 10
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
הָעָ֛ם
for the people
H5971
הָעָ֛ם
for the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
6 of 10
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לִפְנֵ֥י
to worship before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י
to worship before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
7 of 10
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הָֽאֶחָ֖ד
the one
H259
הָֽאֶחָ֖ד
the one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
Cross References
2 Kings 17:21For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.1 Kings 13:34And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth.
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?
Analysis & Commentary
And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.
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 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.