Menu

1 Kings 12:17

1 Kings 12:17 in Multiple Translations

but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah.

But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

(But Rehoboam was still king over those of the children of Israel who were living in the towns of Judah.)

However, Rehoboam still ruled over the Israelites who lived in Judah.

Howbeit ouer the children of Israel, which dwelt in the cities of Iudah, did Rehoboam reigne still.

As to the sons of Israel, those dwelling in the cities of Judah — over them reign doth Rehoboam.

But as for the children of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

But as for the children of Israel who dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

But as for all the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Juda, Roboam reigned over them.

And after that, the only Israeli people whom Rehoboam ruled over were those who lived in the territory of the tribe of Judah.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights
God & Jesus
Holy Spirit
Divine Actions
Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 12:17

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Kings 12:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וּ/בְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הַ/יֹּשְׁבִ֖ים בְּ/עָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה וַ/יִּמְלֹ֥ךְ עֲלֵי/הֶ֖ם רְחַבְעָֽם
וּ/בְנֵ֣י bên H1121 son Conj | N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper
הַ/יֹּשְׁבִ֖ים yâshab H3427 to dwell Art | V-Qal
בְּ/עָרֵ֣י ʻîyr H5892 excitement Prep | N-fp
יְהוּדָ֑ה Yᵉhûwdâh H3063 Judah N-proper
וַ/יִּמְלֹ֥ךְ mâlak H4427 to reign Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
עֲלֵי/הֶ֖ם ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff
רְחַבְעָֽם Rᵉchabʻâm H7346 Rehoboam N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 12:17

וּ/בְנֵ֣י bên H1121 "son" Conj | N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
הַ/יֹּשְׁבִ֖ים yâshab H3427 "to dwell" Art | V-Qal
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
בְּ/עָרֵ֣י ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" Prep | N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
יְהוּדָ֑ה Yᵉhûwdâh H3063 "Judah" N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
וַ/יִּמְלֹ֥ךְ mâlak H4427 "to reign" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To advise or counsel is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to reign or rule as a king. It is used in the Bible to describe the actions of leaders, like King Solomon, who sought wisdom to rule God's people. This word is found in the book of 1 Kings.
Definition: 1) to be or become king or queen, reign 1a) (Qal) to be or become king or queen, reign 1b) (Hiphil) to make one king or queen, cause to reign 1c) (Hophal) to be made king or queen
Usage: Occurs in 284 OT verses. KJV: consult, [idiom] indeed, be (make, set a, set up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign(-ing), rule, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 36:31; 2 Kings 8:15; 2 Chronicles 10:17.
עֲלֵי/הֶ֖ם ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
רְחַבְעָֽם Rᵉchabʻâm H7346 "Rehoboam" N-proper
Rehoboam was a king of Judah, son of Solomon and Naamah, and is first mentioned in 1 Kings 11:43. He had several wives and children, including Abijah and Jeush. Rehoboam played a key role in the United and Divided Monarchy periods.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchyand Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.11.43; son of: Solomon (H8010) and Naamah (H5279A); brother of: Taphath (H2955) and Basemath (H1315); married to Maacah (H4601K), Mahalath (H4258H) and Abihail (H0032J); father of: Abijah (H0029I), Jeush (H3266K), Shemariah (H8114H), Zaham (H2093), Attai (H6262I), Ziza (H2124H) and Shelomith (H8019) Also named: Rhoboam (Ῥοβοάμ "Rehoboam" G4497) § Rehoboam = "a people has enlarged" son of Solomon and the 1st king of Judah after the split up of the kingdom of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: Rehoboam. See also: 1 Kings 11:43; 2 Chronicles 10:3; 2 Chronicles 13:7.

Study Notes — 1 Kings 12:17

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 1 Kings 11:36 I will give one tribe to his son, so that My servant David will always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put My Name.
2 1 Kings 11:13 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.”
3 2 Chronicles 11:13–17 Moreover, the priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel stood with Rehoboam. For the Levites left their pasturelands and their possessions and went to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them as priests of the LORD. And Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat demons and calf idols he had made. Those from every tribe of Israel who had set their hearts to seek the LORD their God followed the Levites to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers. So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years, because they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon.
4 2 Chronicles 10:17 but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah.

1 Kings 12:17 Summary

This verse tells us that even though the kingdom of Israel was divided, Rehoboam was still the king over the people of Judah. This shows us that God is in control, even when things seem to be falling apart (as seen in 1 Kings 12:15). It's a reminder that God's plans are bigger than our circumstances, and that He can bring good out of difficult situations (as seen in Romans 8:28). As believers, we can trust in God's sovereignty and seek to follow Him, even when things are uncertain or difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Rehoboam still reign over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah?

Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah because the Lord had ordained it, as seen in the context of 1 Kings 12:15, which states that this turn of events was from the LORD, to fulfill the word He had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite, as recorded in 1 Kings 11:29-39.

What does this verse reveal about God's sovereignty?

This verse reveals that God's sovereignty is at work even in the midst of human rebellion and division, as seen in 1 Kings 12:15 and also in Proverbs 21:1, which says that the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible's teaching on God's kingdom?

This verse is part of the larger narrative of the Bible, which teaches that God's kingdom will ultimately be established through His people, as seen in passages like Isaiah 9:7 and Luke 1:32-33, which speak of the eternal kingdom of God.

What can we learn from Rehoboam's experience about leadership and following God?

We can learn from Rehoboam's experience that leaders must be humble and listen to the people, as well as seek God's wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 11:14 and James 1:5, which emphasize the importance of seeking wisdom from God.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do I respond when faced with division or conflict, and what can I learn from Rehoboam's experience?
  2. In what ways can I trust in God's sovereignty, even when circumstances seem uncertain or difficult?
  3. What does it mean to 'reign' as a believer, and how can I exercise my authority in a way that honors God?
  4. How can I balance the need for leadership and authority with the importance of humility and listening to others, as seen in this verse and in passages like Matthew 20:25-28?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 12:17

But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah,.... Either such Israelites of the ten tribes that had before dwelt, or now upon this removed, for the sake of worship, to dwell

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 12:17

So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David?

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 12:17

Which dwelt in the cities of Judah; by which phrase he principally understands the tribe of Judah; but withal, those parts and parcels of the tribes of Levi, and Simeon, and Benjamin, whose dwellings were within the confines of Judah, or intermixed with them.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 12:17

1 Kings 12:17 But [as for] the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.Ver. 17. But as for the children of Israel.] Not the men of Judah only, but the Simeonites that were mingled among them, the Benjamites that were joined unto them, the Levites and other convenae that set their hearts to seek the Lord in his holy temple.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 12:17

(17) The children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah.—The expression is doubly significant. (a) Historically the tribe of Judah had its semi-dependent tribes—Simeon, already absorbed into Judah; Dan, in great part transferred to the extreme north; and Benjamin, closely united to Judah by the position of Jerusalem. All these, it would seem, are here included—so that the territory of the southern kingdom would be really the Judœa of later times. In addition to these, we find from 2 Chronicles 11:13-16, that, at any rate after the idolatry of Jeroboam, priests and Levites and other Israelites made their way into the cities of Judah. (b) But, besides this, there may be a significance in the phrase “children of Israel.” Although the northern kingdom henceforth inherited the proud title of the kingdom of Israel, the phrase, as here used, is perhaps intended to remind the reader that in Judah also dwelt “children of Israel”—true descendants of the “Prince of God,” and inheritors of the promise.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 12:17

17. the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah] We see from expressions like this that we must not necessarily make ‘Israel’ include only the northern tribes. See above on 1 Kings 12:1. The LXX. omits this verse entirely.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 12:17

Israel ... - The Israelites proper, or members of the other tribes, who happened to be settled within the limits of the land of Judah. These Israelites quietly submitted to Rehoboam.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 12:17

17. Children of Israel… cities of Judah — Israelites not belonging to the house of Judah, but dwelling within the territory of that tribe.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate