God remains faithful to His covenant promises even when His people fail.
In this verse, the prophet Ahijah delivers a clear message from the LORD that though the kingdom would be split due to Solomon’s disobedience, “he will have one tribe, for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel” (v.32). The “he” here refers to Solomon’s lineage, specifically his son Rehoboam, who inherits a fragment of the united kingdom. The tribe that remains is Judah (with Benjamin closely aligned), preserved for David’s sake because of God’s covenant of steadfast love. David, who reigned from around 1010 to 970 BC, was chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel to be king over Israel, and his line would continue to hold on to Jerusalem, which is at the heart of this promise.
The reference to “My servant David” (v.32) highlights Israel’s unique heritage under David’s dynasty. David was faithful and “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22), making him the benchmark against which kings of Judah would be measured. Through David’s lineage, the Messiah would eventually come (Matthew 1:1), reaffirming the LORD’s favor and unbreakable covenant with the house of David. The city of Jerusalem, located in the hill country of Judah, was politically and religiously significant as the united capital of Israel under David, and later the spiritual hub for the temple built by Solomon.
When the LORD declares that Jerusalem is “the city which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel” (v.32), He affirms this location as His dwelling place, a symbol of His presence among the people and His redemptive plan. In the future, Jesus would walk through the streets of Jerusalem, where He taught, was crucified, and rose again, bringing spiritual renewal that extends far beyond the borders of ancient Israel (Luke 2:41-52, Luke 19:28-44, John 19:17-18). Even as the united monarchy was on the brink of division, God’s chosen inheritance and promise remained intact through David’s line and the holy city of Jerusalem.
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1 Kings 11:32 meaning
In this verse, the prophet Ahijah delivers a clear message from the LORD that though the kingdom would be split due to Solomon’s disobedience, “he will have one tribe, for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel” (v.32). The “he” here refers to Solomon’s lineage, specifically his son Rehoboam, who inherits a fragment of the united kingdom. The tribe that remains is Judah (with Benjamin closely aligned), preserved for David’s sake because of God’s covenant of steadfast love. David, who reigned from around 1010 to 970 BC, was chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel to be king over Israel, and his line would continue to hold on to Jerusalem, which is at the heart of this promise.
The reference to “My servant David” (v.32) highlights Israel’s unique heritage under David’s dynasty. David was faithful and “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22), making him the benchmark against which kings of Judah would be measured. Through David’s lineage, the Messiah would eventually come (Matthew 1:1), reaffirming the LORD’s favor and unbreakable covenant with the house of David. The city of Jerusalem, located in the hill country of Judah, was politically and religiously significant as the united capital of Israel under David, and later the spiritual hub for the temple built by Solomon.
When the LORD declares that Jerusalem is “the city which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel” (v.32), He affirms this location as His dwelling place, a symbol of His presence among the people and His redemptive plan. In the future, Jesus would walk through the streets of Jerusalem, where He taught, was crucified, and rose again, bringing spiritual renewal that extends far beyond the borders of ancient Israel (Luke 2:41-52, Luke 19:28-44, John 19:17-18). Even as the united monarchy was on the brink of division, God’s chosen inheritance and promise remained intact through David’s line and the holy city of Jerusalem.