I Kings 11:13 · Bible study
1 Kings 11:13 Commentary: Grace for David’s Sake
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
God’s judgment on Solomon is tempered by mercy: one tribe remains for his son, for David’s sake and Jerusalem’s sake.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God limits the judgment on Solomon's dynasty; one tribe remains for the sake of God's promises to David and Jerusalem.
- Key words: one (echad), tribe (shevet), tear away (qara), sake (ma'an), chosen (bachar).
- Main debate: Whether 'one tribe' strictly refers only to Judah or includes Benjamin and Levi; most agree Judah is primary.
- Theological theme: Covenant faithfulness; God's judgment is real but never cancels His promises.
- Best use: Teaching on the nature of God's discipline and mercy; the continuity of redemptive history.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
However, I will not tear away all the kingdom; but I will give one tribe to your son, for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.”
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but I will give one tribe to thy son, for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
only all the kingdom I do not rend away; one tribe I give to thy son, for the sake of David My servant, and for the sake of Jerusalem, that I have chosen.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
only, I will not rend away all the kingdom: I will give one tribe to thy son, for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Neither will I take away the whole kingdom; but I will give one tribe to thy son, for the sake of David, my servant, and Jerusalem, which I have chosen.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Sin embargo no romperé todo el reino, sino que daré una tribu á tu hijo, por amor de David mi siervo, y por amor de Jerusalem que yo he elegido.
Todavia não romperei todo o reino, mas sim que darei uma tribo a teu filho, por amor de Davi meu servo, e por amor de Jerusalém que eu escolhi.
Je n’ arracherai cependant pas tout le royaume; je laisserai une tribu à ton fils, à cause de David, mon serviteur, et à cause de Jérusalem, que j’ ai choisie.
Doch ich will nicht das ganze Reich abreißen; einen Stamm will ich deinem Sohn geben um Davids willen, meines Knechtes, und um Jerusalems willen, das ich erwählt habe.
Doch Ik zal het gehele koninkrijk niet afscheuren; een stam zal Ik uw zoon geven, om Mijns knechts Davids wil, en om Jeruzalems wil, dat Ik verkoren heb.
Però, non gli strapperò tutto il reame, ma lascerò una tribù al tuo figliuolo, per amor di Davide mio servo, e per amor di Gerusalemme che io ho scelta”.
Lecz wszystkiego królestwa nie oderwę; pokolenie jedno dam synowi twemu dla Dawida, sługi mego, i dla Jeruzalemu, którem obrał.
и не все царство исторгну; одно колено дам сыну твоему ради Давида, раба Моего, и ради Иерусалима, который Я избрал.
只是 我不 將 全 國 奪回，要因 我僕人 大衛 和 我所 選擇 的耶路撒冷，還留一 支派 給 你的兒子。」
Still I will not take all the kingdom from him; but I will give one tribe to your son, because of my servant David, and because of Jerusalem, the town of my selection.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Kings 11:13
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree: this verse shows God's judgment tempered by covenant mercy. Solomon's idolatry and heart-turn from God warranted the full loss of the kingdom (1 Kgs 11:11). Yet God preserves one tribe for his son. Barnes and the Cambridge Bible identify this as Judah, with Benjamin so closely tied by territory and temple proximity that they count as one tribe. Gill adds that their inheritances lay together and the kingdom always went by the name Judah. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown notes that Levites and faithful Israelites migrated to Judah, consolidating it further. The preservation is for David's sake, God's covenant with David (2 Sam 7:15-16), and for Jerusalem's sake, the city God chose for His name (Deut 12:5). Adam Clarke sees deeper: David prefigures the true David, Christ, and Jerusalem prefigures the Church. Matthew Henry stresses the graveness of sin, Solomon's ingratitude after God appeared to him twice, yet God's grace 'not rending away all.' The verse thus displays God's unwavering commitment to His promises even when judgment falls.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: God's judgment on Solomon's sin is genuine, but His mercy preserves a remnant for the sake of His covenant with David and His choice of Jerusalem.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The identity of 'one tribe' | Refers primarily to Judah as the seat of David's dynasty. | Some strictly limit it to Judah; others (Cambridge, Gill) argue it includes Benjamin and Levi because of territorial overlap and migration. |
| For David's sake | God's covenant with David (2 Sam 7:15-16) is the basis for mercy. | Some stress a historical/representative reason; others (Clarke) see a typological meaning pointing to Christ as the true David. |
| For Jerusalem's sake | God chose Jerusalem as the unique place for His name (Deut 12:5). | Some read Jerusalem as a type of the Church; others focus on the historical preservation of temple worship. |
| The delay of judgment | Judgment is postponed until after Solomon's death for David's sake (v12). | Not debated in supplied sources; some imply it shows God's patience, others see a principle of deferring consequences for the righteous. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The historical backdrop of 1 Kings 11:13 is the final years of Solomon's reign, a period of outward splendor but inward decay. Solomon's accumulation of horses, gold, and especially foreign wives (1 Kgs 11:1-3) directly violated the kingly laws of Deuteronomy 17. Lange's Commentary observes that Solomon's marriages were motivated by a desire to rival other monarchs in prestige, not by mere lust, yet they led to the worship of Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom (1 Kgs 11:5,7). God had appeared to Solomon twice (1 Kgs 11:9), yet he broke the command not to go after other gods.
The judgment is progressive: first, God declares He will tear the kingdom away (v11); then, He delays it until after Solomon's death for David's sake (v12); finally, He promises to leave one tribe for Solomon's son (v13). This verse thus functions as a gracious limitation on the judgment. The 'one tribe' is primarily Judah, though Benjamin and Levi are associated (Barnes, Cambridge, Gill). The Cambridge Bible notes that Jerusalem, though in Benjamin's territory, was the common property of both tribes because of the temple.
Historically, this sets the stage for the divided monarchy. Jeroboam would rule the northern ten tribes; Rehoboam would rule Judah (with Benjamin) from Jerusalem. The preservation of Judah ensured the continuation of the Davidic line and the temple worship. Adam Clarke highlights the messianic necessity: 'The prevailing lion must come out of the tribe of Judah.' For David's sake refers to the covenant in 2 Samuel 7:15-16, God promised David a lasting dynasty. For Jerusalem's sake refers to God's choice of that city as the unique place for His name (Deut 12:5). The verse roots the survival of the southern kingdom in God's covenant commitments to David and to the chosen city. The whisper of hope is that even when we fail, God's promises do not.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for 1 Kings 11:13. The verse is stable in the manuscript tradition.
Reception History
Early church writers saw this verse as evidence of God's faithfulness to His promises even amid Israel's unfaithfulness. During the Reformation, commentators like Matthew Henry emphasized the covenant theology: God's mercy flows from His commitment to David and the chosen city, not the merit of the recipient. Modern scholarship focuses on the historical significance for the divided monarchy and the messianic thread running through Judah. The verse has been used in liturgical settings to illustrate the intersection of judgment and grace.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Sin Brings Severe Consequences. Solomon's idolatry leads to the tearing away of most of the kingdom. God's holiness means sin cannot be overlooked.
- Mercy Within Judgment. God spares one tribe, showing grace even when punishment is deserved. The preservation is not due to the son's merit but for David's sake and Jerusalem's sake.
- God's Covenant Faithfulness Endures. This verse reminds us that God keeps His promises. The Davidic covenant and the choice of Jerusalem anchor the hope of the Messiah.
Five-point outline
- The Gravity of Solomon's Sin. His heart turned from God after repeated warnings.
- The Certainty of Judgment. God's decree: the kingdom will be torn away.
- The Tempering of Grace. The delay until after Solomon's death and the preservation of one tribe.
- The Grounds of Mercy. For David's sake (covenant) and Jerusalem's sake (chosen place).
- The Future Hope. The line of Judah continues for the Messiah.
Illustration hooks
- A family business where the founder's loyalty keeps a second chance alive even after the successor fails. The business is downsized but not lost, because of respect for the founder.
- A student who fails a course but the teacher passes them anyway 'for your parents' sake', not on their own merit. The grade reflects grace tied to relationship.
- A city that remains a cultural center despite a kingdom's division; the capital retains significance even when power shifts.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why did God leave one tribe instead of giving Jeroboam everything?
- If God forgave Solomon, why did he still lose the kingdom?
- What does 'for David's sake' mean for how God treats us today?
Leading a Discussion
This verse shows God's judgment and mercy side by side. It invites us to consider how God's faithfulness to His promises can temper even the most severe consequences of sin. Read 1 Kings 11:9-13 together before discussing.
Discussion questions
- Read 1 Kings 11:9-13. What was Solomon's sin, and why does God take it so seriously?
- Why does God say He will tear the kingdom away from Solomon's son rather than from Solomon himself? What does this show about God's patience?
- The verse says the one tribe is preserved for David's sake and Jerusalem's sake. Why are these two reasons significant? What do they tell us about God's priorities?
- How does the preservation of one tribe fulfill God's promises to David (2 Samuel 7:15-16)?
- In what ways do we see both judgment and mercy in this passage? How does that balance shape our view of God?
- Adam Clarke saw a messianic purpose: the line of the Messiah had to continue. How does this verse point forward to Christ?
- Are there situations in your life where you have experienced consequences for sin, yet also grace that preserved something precious? Share if comfortable.
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Deuteronomy 9:5 | Not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart do you go in to possess their land; but for the wickedness of these nations Yahweh your God does drive them out from before you, and that he may establish the word which Yahweh swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. |
| Deuteronomy 12:5 | But to the place which Yahweh your God shall choose out of all your tribes, to put his name there, you shall seek his habitation, and you shall come there. |
| Deuteronomy 12:11 | then it shall happen that to the place which Yahweh your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, there you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the wave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which you vow to Yahweh. |
| II Samuel 7:15 | but my loving kindness will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you. |
| II Samuel 7:16 | Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever.”’” |
| I Kings 11:11 | Therefore Yahweh said to Solomon, “Because this is done by you, and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant. |
| I Kings 11:12 | Nevertheless, I will not do it in your days, for David your father’s sake; but I will tear it out of your son’s hand. |
| I 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), |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke draws a typological connection: David pointed to the Messiah, and Jerusalem pointed to the true Church. God preserved one tribe and the royal line so the Messiah could come from Judah and establish the New Jerusalem in the same land. A remarkable series of providences was required for this.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes clarifies that "one tribe" in this context actually means Judah, since Benjamin was considered absorbed into Judah and not a separate tribe. He notes the prophet Ahijah tore his garment into twelve pieces, giving two tribes to Jeroboam, which preserved the memory of Judah's double status from earlier history.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that the single tribe promised to Solomon's son includes Benjamin because Jerusalem and the Temple actually sat within Benjamin's territory. This geographic overlap
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
God spares one tribe for Solomon's son, not because of the son's merit, but solely for David's sake and because He chose Jerusalem. The judgment is real but tempered by covenant faithfulness, preserving a remnant of the kingdom for the sake of His servant and His holy city.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill addresses the apparent problem that Solomon’s son received two tribes, not one. He explains that Judah and Benjamin are counted as one because their inheritances were intertwined, both shared Jerusalem, and the northern kingdom’s name afterward was simply Judah. This arrangement honored God’s promise to David and His choice of Jerusalem.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB explains that the one tribe promised to Solomon's son actually included Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, along with many Israelites who relocated to Judah to keep worshipping God. So what appears as a single tribe was a larger, gathered community.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that Solomon never personally practiced idolatry or sacrificed to other gods. His sin was that he passively allowed his foreign wives to conduct their own worship, thereby breaking exclusive devotion to Jehovah without formally abandoning it. This makes Solomon’s failure one of tolerance and spiritual weakness, not outright apostasy.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry highlights two aggravating factors in Solomon’s fall: base ingratitude and wilful disobedience. God had appeared to Solomon twice personally, a favour that should have kept him faithful forever. Yet Solomon still broke the very command God had given him in those visits, making his sin inexcusable.