1 Kings 11:12

Verse

Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand of your son.

American Standard Version (1901)

Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it, for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

Bible in Basic English

I will not do it in your life-time, because of your father David, but I will take it from your son.

Free Bible Version

However, for the sake of your father David, I will not do this in your lifetime—I will take it away from your son.

Geneva Bible 1599

Notwithstanding in thy dayes I will not doe it, because of Dauid thy father, but I will rent it out of the hand of thy sonne:

King James (Authorized) Version

Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

Translation for Translators

But, because of what I promised your father David, I will allow you to rule all your kingdom while you are still living. After you die, I will not allow your son to rule the whole kingdom [MTY].

Unlocked Literal Bible

However, for David your father's sake, I will not do it in your lifetime, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son.

Noah Webster Bible

Notwithstanding, in thy days, I will not do it, for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

World English Bible

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.

Young's Literal Translation

'Only, in thy days I do it not, for the sake of David thy father; out of the hand of thy son I rend it;

Context

God’s Anger against Solomon

¹¹Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.¹²Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand of your son.¹³Yet 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.”

Summary

In this verse, God speaks to Solomon, warning him that because he has turned away from the Lord and worshipped other gods, the kingdom will be torn away from him. This serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and idolatry, highlighting the importance of staying faithful to God's commandments. Despite Solomon's wisdom and accomplishments, his downfall came from allowing his heart to be led astray. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising one's faith and loyalty to God.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Howbeit, I will not rend away all the kingdom,.... The whole kingdom of Israel: but will give one tribe to thy son; but it seems he had both Benjamin and Judah, and only ten tribes were rent from him; the reason of this mode of expression may be, either because he gave him one of the tribes of Israel, besides that of Judah, which was his own tribe; or only the tribe of Judah is meant, the whole tribe of Benjamin not being his, since Bethel, and some other places in that tribe, were in the possession of Jeroboam; or rather both these are called but one, because their inheritances lay together, and were mixed with one another; and particularly both had a share in the city of Jerusalem, and the kingdom always after the division went by the name of Judah only: and this tribe was given for David my servant's sake; because of the promise to him, that there should not want one of his seed to sit on his throne, Kg1 9:5. and for Jerusalem's sake, whom I have chosen; to have the house of his sanctuary and worship in, and therefore thought fit to have one rule there, that, would have a regard to his service in it.