◄ 1 Kings 14:8 ►
I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you. But you were not like My servant David, who kept My commandments and followed Me with all his heart, doing only what was right in My eyes.
Study Bible
I tore the kingdom away
This phrase signifies a divine intervention in the political landscape of Israel. The Hebrew root for "tore" is "קרע" (qara), which conveys a forceful action, often associated with judgment or significant change. Historically, this reflects the division of the united monarchy after Solomon's reign, emphasizing God's sovereignty in the rise and fall of kingdoms. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God's covenant.

from the house of David
The "house of David" refers to the dynastic lineage established by God through David, a man after God's own heart. This phrase underscores the gravity of the kingdom's division, as it was a departure from the divine promise of a lasting dynasty. Theologically, it highlights the conditional nature of God's promises, contingent upon obedience and faithfulness.

and gave it to you
This part of the verse addresses Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel. The giving of the kingdom signifies God's active role in appointing leaders, even those outside the Davidic line. It serves as a reminder that leadership is a divine stewardship, accountable to God's standards and purposes.

but you have not been like My servant David
Here, the comparison with David sets a high standard for leadership. David, despite his flaws, is remembered for his wholehearted devotion to God. The phrase "My servant" indicates a relationship of trust and obedience. This contrast with Jeroboam highlights the importance of a leader's heart posture towards God.

who kept My commandments
This phrase emphasizes obedience to God's laws as a hallmark of righteous leadership. The Hebrew word for "kept" is "שמר" (shamar), meaning to guard or observe diligently. It reflects a lifestyle of consistent adherence to God's will, which is essential for maintaining divine favor and blessing.

and followed Me with all his heart
Following God "with all his heart" speaks to the sincerity and totality of David's devotion. The heart, in Hebrew thought, represents the center of one's being, including mind, will, and emotions. This phrase calls believers to a holistic commitment to God, beyond mere external compliance.

doing only what was right in My eyes
This final phrase underscores the importance of aligning one's actions with God's perspective. The standard of "right in My eyes" is a divine evaluation, contrasting human judgment. It challenges leaders and believers alike to seek God's approval above all, ensuring that their actions reflect His righteousness and justice.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeroboam
The first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. He was given the kingdom by God but failed to follow God's commandments.

2. David
The second king of Israel, known for his heart for God and his obedience to God's commandments, despite his personal failures.

3. The House of David
Refers to the dynasty of David, from which God tore the kingdom to give to Jeroboam.

4. The Kingdom of Israel
The northern kingdom that was established after the division of the united monarchy, consisting of ten tribes.

5. Ahijah the Prophet
The prophet who conveyed God's message to Jeroboam, including the tearing of the kingdom from the house of David.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God’s Commandments
The importance of following God's commandments wholeheartedly, as exemplified by David, is crucial for maintaining God's favor and blessings.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Jeroboam's failure to follow God’s ways led to the downfall of his kingdom, illustrating the serious consequences of turning away from God.

God’s Sovereignty in Leadership
God is sovereign in appointing and removing leaders. He tore the kingdom from David's house and gave it to Jeroboam, showing His control over nations and leaders.

Heartfelt Devotion
David's example teaches us that God values a heart that seeks Him and strives to do what is right in His eyes, despite human imperfections.

Legacy and Influence
The legacy we leave is influenced by our obedience to God. David's legacy was one of faithfulness, while Jeroboam's was marked by disobedience.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jeroboam's failure to follow God's commandments compare to David's obedience, and what can we learn from their examples?

2. In what ways does God's sovereignty over leadership challenge or comfort you in your current circumstances?

3. How can we cultivate a heart like David's that seeks to do what is right in God's eyes, even when we fail?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure that your legacy is one of faithfulness to God?

5. How do the consequences of Jeroboam's disobedience serve as a warning for us today, and what other biblical examples can you think of that illustrate this principle?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 13:14
This verse highlights God's choice of David as a man after His own heart, contrasting with Saul's disobedience, similar to Jeroboam's failure.

2 Samuel 7:16
God's promise to David about the enduring nature of his dynasty, which contrasts with the temporary nature of Jeroboam's rule due to his disobedience.

1 Kings 11:31-38
The prophecy of Ahijah to Jeroboam, where God promises him a lasting dynasty if he obeys, paralleling the promise made to David.
Sermons
A Good Boy and a Bad FamilyA. McAuslane, D. D.1 Kings 14:1-18
Affliction and JudgmentJ. Urquhart 1 Kings 14:1-20
Hard TidingsJ.A. Macdonald 1 Kings 14:7-11
Servitude or Service -- Which?Spurgeon, Charles Haddon1 Kings 14:8-9
People
Abijah, Abijam, Ahijah, David, Israelites, Jeroboam, Naamah, Nadab, Rehoboam, Shishak, Sodomites, Solomon, Tirzah
Places
Bethel, Egypt, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Shiloh, Tirzah
Topics
Commandments, Commands, David, Followed, Force, Hast, Heart, Kept, Kingdom, Orders, Rend, Rent, Seed, Servant, Sight, Tore, Walked, Yet, You-yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 14:8

     5015   heart, and Holy Spirit
     7160   servants of the Lord

1 Kings 14:6-16

     1431   prophecy, OT methods

1 Kings 14:7-9

     6163   faults

1 Kings 14:7-13

     1429   prophecy, OT fulfilment

Library
Synopsis. --The Gradual Narrowing of the Miraculous Element in the Bible by Recent Discovery and Discussion. --The Alarm Thereby Excited in the Church. --The Fallacy Which
It is barely forty years since that beloved and fearless Christian scholar, Dean Stanley, spoke thus of the miracles recorded of the prophet Elisha: "His works stand alone in the Bible in their likeness to the acts of mediaeval saints. There alone in the Sacred History the gulf between Biblical and Ecclesiastical miracles almost disappears."[5] It required some courage to say as much as this then, while the storm of persecution was raging against Bishop Colenso for his critical work on the Pentateuch. …
James Morris Whiton—Miracles and Supernatural Religion

Jeroboam
BY REV. ALFRED ROWLAND, D.D., LL.B. "Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin."--1 KINGS xiv. 16. Jeroboam's character is worthy of serious study, not only because it influenced the destiny of God's ancient people, but because it suggests lessons of the utmost value to His people still. He may be fairly regarded as a type of those who are successful men of the world. He was not an example of piety, for he had none--nor of lofty principle, for he was an opportunist who made expediency …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Whether Contention is a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that contention is not a mortal sin. For there is no mortal sin in spiritual men: and yet contention is to be found in them, according to Lk. 22:24: "And there was also a strife amongst" the disciples of Jesus, "which of them should . . . be the greatest." Therefore contention is not a mortal sin. Objection 2: Further, no well disposed man should be pleased that his neighbor commit a mortal sin. But the Apostle says (Phil. 1:17): "Some out of contention preach Christ," …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Divination by Drawing Lots is Unlawful?
Objection 1: It would seem that divination by drawing lots is not unlawful, because a gloss of Augustine on Ps. 30:16, "My lots are in Thy hands," says: "It is not wrong to cast lots, for it is a means of ascertaining the divine will when a man is in doubt." Objection 2: There is, seemingly, nothing unlawful in the observances which the Scriptures relate as being practiced by holy men. Now both in the Old and in the New Testament we find holy men practicing the casting of lots. For it is related …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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