God announces He will take Jeroboam from Solomon’s administration and establish him as king over Israel, highlighting His sovereign authority in shaping nations and leaders.
In this passage, the LORD speaks through the prophet Ahijah to Jeroboam, Solomon’s servant, informing him of a remarkable future. The prophet declares, “I will take you, and you shall reign over whatever you desire, and you shall be king over Israel” (v. 37). These words come at a time when the nation of Israel, first united under Saul, David, and then Solomon, will soon be torn apart because of King Solomon’s disobedience in following other gods (1 Kings 11:33). Historically, Jeroboam was from the tribe of Ephraim, in the northern part of Israel, and served King Solomon until receiving this divine message of rebellion and future kingship (1 Kings 11:26). After Solomon’s death (ca. 930 BC), the northern tribes would split from the kingdom of Judah, and Jeroboam, established by God’s decree, would become the first king of the newly formed northern kingdom.
When the LORD proclaims, “I will take you” (v. 37), it demonstrates His sovereign choice in raising and removing kings. Although Solomon, David’s son, had expanded the kingdom and built the temple in Jerusalem, his failure to remain faithful to the LORD led the nation into idolatrous practices. In response, God determined to keep David’s line on the throne in Judah, but also to tear away most of the tribes and give them to Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:31-32). Jeroboam’s kingship (931-910 BC) fulfills this prophecy, though his reign becomes marred by his own failures in leading the nation toward idolatry at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:29). Still, 1 Kings 11:37 magnifies God’s power to use whomever He wills to accomplish His purposes and to bless or judge His people according to their faithfulness (Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15).
As a geographical note, Jeroboam's power base would shift from the workforce projects in Jerusalem to the northern territory, where he established alternate centers of worship. This region included the tribal inheritance of Ephraim, land that stretched northward beyond the cities of Shechem and Tirzah (Joshua 16:5-10). By calling Jeroboam to reign over Israel, the LORD set in motion a dramatic period of biblical history in which the once-united monarchy of David and Solomon fractured into two separate kingdoms.
God promises Jeroboam, “You shall reign over whatever you desire” (v. 37), indicating He will grant Jeroboam significant freedom and authority. But the history that follows shows that genuine prosperity under God’s covenant requires loyalty and obedience to Him. Jeroboam’s story becomes a vivid reminder that the LORD alone holds the power to raise up and bring down leaders according to His plans (Amos 9:8).
God placed Jeroboam on the throne of the northern kingdom in fulfillment of His purpose: summarized in these simple but profound words from 1 Kings 11:37, He gave Jeroboam an opportunity to lead Israel and walk in the LORD’s commandments—an opportunity Jeroboam would ultimately misuse.
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1 Kings 11:37 meaning
In this passage, the LORD speaks through the prophet Ahijah to Jeroboam, Solomon’s servant, informing him of a remarkable future. The prophet declares, “I will take you, and you shall reign over whatever you desire, and you shall be king over Israel” (v. 37). These words come at a time when the nation of Israel, first united under Saul, David, and then Solomon, will soon be torn apart because of King Solomon’s disobedience in following other gods (1 Kings 11:33). Historically, Jeroboam was from the tribe of Ephraim, in the northern part of Israel, and served King Solomon until receiving this divine message of rebellion and future kingship (1 Kings 11:26). After Solomon’s death (ca. 930 BC), the northern tribes would split from the kingdom of Judah, and Jeroboam, established by God’s decree, would become the first king of the newly formed northern kingdom.
When the LORD proclaims, “I will take you” (v. 37), it demonstrates His sovereign choice in raising and removing kings. Although Solomon, David’s son, had expanded the kingdom and built the temple in Jerusalem, his failure to remain faithful to the LORD led the nation into idolatrous practices. In response, God determined to keep David’s line on the throne in Judah, but also to tear away most of the tribes and give them to Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:31-32). Jeroboam’s kingship (931-910 BC) fulfills this prophecy, though his reign becomes marred by his own failures in leading the nation toward idolatry at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:29). Still, 1 Kings 11:37 magnifies God’s power to use whomever He wills to accomplish His purposes and to bless or judge His people according to their faithfulness (Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15).
As a geographical note, Jeroboam's power base would shift from the workforce projects in Jerusalem to the northern territory, where he established alternate centers of worship. This region included the tribal inheritance of Ephraim, land that stretched northward beyond the cities of Shechem and Tirzah (Joshua 16:5-10). By calling Jeroboam to reign over Israel, the LORD set in motion a dramatic period of biblical history in which the once-united monarchy of David and Solomon fractured into two separate kingdoms.
God promises Jeroboam, “You shall reign over whatever you desire” (v. 37), indicating He will grant Jeroboam significant freedom and authority. But the history that follows shows that genuine prosperity under God’s covenant requires loyalty and obedience to Him. Jeroboam’s story becomes a vivid reminder that the LORD alone holds the power to raise up and bring down leaders according to His plans (Amos 9:8).
God placed Jeroboam on the throne of the northern kingdom in fulfillment of His purpose: summarized in these simple but profound words from 1 Kings 11:37, He gave Jeroboam an opportunity to lead Israel and walk in the LORD’s commandments—an opportunity Jeroboam would ultimately misuse.