“Howbeit 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.”
In this verse, God is speaking to Solomon through a prophet named Ahijah. It is important to understand the context leading up to this verse to grasp its significance fully.
King Solomon had strayed from God’s commandments by marrying foreign women and allowing them to introduce idolatry into the kingdom. These actions had deeply displeased God because they were a violation of His covenant and a departure from pure worship.
In 1 Kings 11:11-12, God informs Solomon that as a result of his disobedience, He will tear the kingdom away from him and give it to one of his servants. However, God adds a provision in verse 13: He will not take away the entire kingdom but will leave one tribe for Solomon’s son. God promises to do this for two reasons: “for David my servant’s sake” and “for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.”
- David my servant’s sake:God made a covenant with David, promising that his descendants would always sit on the throne of Israel (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Although Solomon had sinned, God’s faithfulness to His promise to David remained. Therefore, out of respect for David, God decides to preserve a portion of the kingdom for Solomon’s son.
- Jerusalem’s sake:God had chosen Jerusalem as the place where He would establish His dwelling among His people (2 Chronicles 6:6). Despite Solomon’s unfaithfulness, God remained committed to Jerusalem and desired to maintain His presence there. Therefore, He grants a portion of the kingdom to Solomon’s son, ensuring that Jerusalem remains under the control of David’s descendants.
This verse highlights God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises, even when His people fail to uphold their part of the agreement. It also demonstrates God’s love and mercy in not completely rejecting Solomon or his descendants but allowing a remnant to remain in power for the sake of David and Jerusalem.
Additionally, this verse foreshadows the eventual division of the kingdom. After Solomon’s death, the kingdom splits into two: the southern kingdom of Judah, ruled by the descendants of David, and the northern kingdom of Israel. This division occurs in fulfilment of God’s earlier warnings and as a consequence of the idolatrous practices introduced by Solomon.
