This verse reveals that God’s guidance is offered even when national unity is challenged.
“Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin and to the rest of the people, saying,” (v.23). This verse addresses a very specific message to Rehoboam, who is historically known as the son of Solomon and the grandson of David. Rehoboam began his rule around 931 BC, immediately following the death of Solomon. His reign, which lasted until approximately 913 BC, launched a new phase in Israel’s history, one marked by the fracture of the unified kingdom. The verse emphasizes that Rehoboam is the king of Judah, reflecting the developing division between the tribes in the south (Judah and Benjamin) and the tribes in the north that rallied around Jeroboam. This command to speak directly to Rehoboam underlines the significance of his role in leading the southern kingdom, even though tensions were already high within the nation as a whole.
“Speak to Rehoboam...and to the rest of the people, saying,” (v.23) points toward a collective audience that includes the house of Judah and Benjamin, as well as “the rest of the people.” These two tribes—Judah and Benjamin—are geographically located in the southern region, around Jerusalem. Jerusalem itself is situated in the higher elevations of the Judean hills, with territory stretching down to the Dead Sea in the east and bordering the tribal lands to the west. Since the house of Judah typically represents the monarchy’s lineage through David, and Benjamin was a smaller tribe closely tied to Judah, their unity emerges as central to the southern kingdom’s identity. Addressing “the rest of the people” signifies that others outside these two tribes were also within the domain, hinting at a broader coalition supporting Rehoboam’s leadership.
This summons to speak reveals that a divine directive or prophetic message is about to be delivered, one that will influence the course of the young kingdom. In the broader chapter, we learn that the kingdom is on the brink of definitive separation, aligning with what was foretold to Solomon: because of his drifting from wholehearted devotion to the Lord, the united monarchy would not endure in its original form (1 Kings 11:9-13 in). Hence, “Speak to Rehoboam…” (v.23) sets the stage for God’s message aimed at preventing a civil war and guiding the king not to fight against his fellow Israelites. This echoes theme after theme in Scripture, culminating in a deeper invitation later in history to a kingdom of unity and peace in Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 2:14 in), where multiple groups are brought together under God’s sovereign plan.
Set to dark mode
1 Kings 12:23 meaning
“Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin and to the rest of the people, saying,” (v.23). This verse addresses a very specific message to Rehoboam, who is historically known as the son of Solomon and the grandson of David. Rehoboam began his rule around 931 BC, immediately following the death of Solomon. His reign, which lasted until approximately 913 BC, launched a new phase in Israel’s history, one marked by the fracture of the unified kingdom. The verse emphasizes that Rehoboam is the king of Judah, reflecting the developing division between the tribes in the south (Judah and Benjamin) and the tribes in the north that rallied around Jeroboam. This command to speak directly to Rehoboam underlines the significance of his role in leading the southern kingdom, even though tensions were already high within the nation as a whole.
“Speak to Rehoboam...and to the rest of the people, saying,” (v.23) points toward a collective audience that includes the house of Judah and Benjamin, as well as “the rest of the people.” These two tribes—Judah and Benjamin—are geographically located in the southern region, around Jerusalem. Jerusalem itself is situated in the higher elevations of the Judean hills, with territory stretching down to the Dead Sea in the east and bordering the tribal lands to the west. Since the house of Judah typically represents the monarchy’s lineage through David, and Benjamin was a smaller tribe closely tied to Judah, their unity emerges as central to the southern kingdom’s identity. Addressing “the rest of the people” signifies that others outside these two tribes were also within the domain, hinting at a broader coalition supporting Rehoboam’s leadership.
This summons to speak reveals that a divine directive or prophetic message is about to be delivered, one that will influence the course of the young kingdom. In the broader chapter, we learn that the kingdom is on the brink of definitive separation, aligning with what was foretold to Solomon: because of his drifting from wholehearted devotion to the Lord, the united monarchy would not endure in its original form (1 Kings 11:9-13 in). Hence, “Speak to Rehoboam…” (v.23) sets the stage for God’s message aimed at preventing a civil war and guiding the king not to fight against his fellow Israelites. This echoes theme after theme in Scripture, culminating in a deeper invitation later in history to a kingdom of unity and peace in Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 2:14 in), where multiple groups are brought together under God’s sovereign plan.