1 Kings 12:16
New International Version
When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse’s son? To your tents, Israel! Look after your own house, David!” So the Israelites went home.

New Living Translation
When all Israel realized that the king had refused to listen to them, they responded, “Down with the dynasty of David! We have no interest in the son of Jesse. Back to your homes, O Israel! Look out for your own house, O David!” So the people of Israel returned home.

English Standard Version
And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.” So Israel went to their tents.

Berean Standard Bible
When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home,

King James Bible
So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.

New King James Version
Now when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying: “What share have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Now, see to your own house, O David!” So Israel departed to their tents.

New American Standard Bible
When all Israel saw that the king had not listened to them, the people replied to the king, saying, “What share do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse; To your tents, Israel! Now look after your own house, David!” So Israel went away to their tents.

NASB 1995
When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse; To your tents, O Israel! Now look after your own house, David!” So Israel departed to their tents.

NASB 1977
When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse; To your tents, O Israel! Now look after your own house, David!”So Israel departed to their tents.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them. So the people responded to the king with this word, saying, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse; To your tents, O Israel! Now see to your own house, David!” So Israel went to their tents.

Amplified Bible
So when all [the ten northern tribes of] Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people replied to the king, saying, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse; To your tents, O Israel! Look now after your own house, David!” Then Israel went back to their tents.

Christian Standard Bible
When all Israel saw that the king had not listened to them, the people answered him: What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. Israel, return to your tents; David, now look after your own house! So Israel went to their tents,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When all Israel saw that the king had not listened to them, the people answered him: What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. Israel, return to your tents; David, now look after your own house! So Israel went to their tents,

American Standard Version
And when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.

English Revised Version
And when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, the people answered the king, "What share do we have in David's kingdom? We won't receive an inheritance from Jesse's son. To your own tents, Israel! Now look after your own house, David!" So Israel went home to their own tents.

Good News Translation
When the people saw that the king would not listen to them, they shouted, "Down with David and his family! What have they ever done for us? People of Israel, let's go home! Let Rehoboam look out for himself!" So the people of Israel rebelled,

International Standard Version
When all of Israel saw that the king wasn't listening to them, the people responded to the king's message, "What's the point in following David? We have no inheritance in the descendants of Jesse. Let's go home, Israel! David, take care of your own household!' So Israel left for home.

Majority Standard Bible
When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: ?What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!? So the Israelites went home,

NET Bible
When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, the people answered the king, "We have no portion in David, no share in the son of Jesse! Return to your homes, O Israel! Now, look after your own dynasty, O David!" So Israel returned to their homes.

New Heart English Bible
When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, "What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, Israel. Now see to your own house, David." So Israel departed to their tents.

Webster's Bible Translation
So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not to them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thy own house, David. So Israel departed to their tents.

World English Bible
When all Israel saw that the king didn’t listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, “What portion have we in David? We don’t have an inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, Israel! Now see to your own house, David.” So Israel departed to their tents.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And all Israel sees that the king has not listened to them, and the people send the king back word, saying, “What portion do we have in David? Indeed, there is no inheritance in the son of Jesse; [return] to your tents, O Israel; now see your house, O David!” And Israel goes to its tents.

Young's Literal Translation
And all Israel see that the king hath not hearkened unto them, and the people send the king back word, saying, 'What portion have we in David? yea, there is no inheritance in the son of Jesse; to thy tents, O Israel; now see thy house, O David!' and Israel goeth to its tents.

Smith's Literal Translation
And all Israel will see that the king heard not to them, and the people will turn back the king word, saying, What part to us in David? and no inheritance in the son of Jesse: to thy tents, O Israel: now see to thy house, David. And Israel will go to their tents.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then the people seeing that the king would not hearken to them, answered him, saying : What portion have we in David? or what inheritance in the son of Isai? Go home to thy dwellings, O Israel, now David look to thy own house. So Israel departed to their dwellings.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so the people, seeing that the king had not been willing to listen to them, responded to him, saying: “What part do we have in David? Or what inheritance do we have in the son of Jesse? Go to your own tents, O Israel. Now David, see to your own house.” And Israel went away to their own tents.

New American Bible
When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king: “What share have we in David? We have no heritage in the son of Jesse. To your tents, Israel! Now look to your own house, David.” So Israel went off to their tents.

New Revised Standard Version
When all Israel saw that the king would not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What share do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David.” So Israel went away to their tents.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, We have no portion in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse; to your tents, O Israel; now see to your own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.And he answered. I cannot return with you nor go to your house; neither will I eat bread with you, nor drink water in this place;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all Israel saw that the King did not listen to them, and the people did not answer the King, and they said to him: “We have no portion with David, neither an inheritance with the son of Iyshay! To your tents, Israel! Therefore see to your house, David!” And the children of Israel went, every man, to his town.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying: 'What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse; to your tents, O Israel; now see to thine own house, David.' So Israel departed unto their tents.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And all Israel saw that the king did not hearken to them: and the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we any inheritance in the son of Jessae. Depart, O Israel, to thy tents: now feed thine own house, David. So Israel departed to his tents.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Kingdom Divided
16When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home, 17but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 20:1
Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!”

2 Chronicles 10:16
When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So all the Israelites went home,

Hosea 8:4
They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction.

Judges 8:35
They did not show kindness to the house of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) for all the good things he had done for Israel.

2 Samuel 19:43
“We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel, “so we have more claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the men of Judah spoke more fiercely than the men of Israel.

2 Samuel 5:1-3
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel.

2 Samuel 7:15-16
But My loving devotion will never be removed from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. / Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.”

1 Kings 11:11-13
Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. / Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. / 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.”

1 Kings 11:31-35
and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes. / But one tribe will remain for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel. / For they have forsaken Me to worship Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in My ways, nor done what is right in My eyes, nor kept My statutes and judgments, as Solomon’s father David did. ...

2 Chronicles 11:4
that this is what the LORD says: ‘You are not to go up and fight against your brothers. Each of you must return home, for this is My doing.’” So they listened to the words of the LORD and turned back from going against Jeroboam.

Isaiah 7:17
The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since the day Ephraim separated from Judah—He will bring the king of Assyria.”

Ezekiel 37:22
I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel, and one king will rule over all of them. Then they will no longer be two nations and will never again be divided into two kingdoms.

Matthew 21:43
Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

John 19:15
At this, they shouted, “Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!” “Shall I crucify your King?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” replied the chief priests.

Acts 7:39
But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.


Treasury of Scripture

So when all Israel saw that the king listened not to them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to your own house, David. So Israel departed to their tents.

What portion

2 Samuel 20:1
And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

2 Chronicles 10:16
And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents.

to your tents

1 Kings 22:17,36
And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace…

now see

1 Kings 11:13,34,36,39
Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen…

2 Samuel 7:15,16
But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee…

Psalm 2:1-6
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? …

So Israel

Judges 8:35
Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.

2 Samuel 15:13
And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

2 Samuel 16:11
And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.

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David Departed Hearkened House Inheritance Israel Jesse Portion Tents
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David Departed Hearkened House Inheritance Israel Jesse Portion Tents
1 Kings 12
1. The Israelites, assembled at Shechem to crown Rehoboam,
4. by Jeroboam make a suit of relaxation unto him
6. Rehoboam, refusing the old men's counsel, answers them roughly
16. Ten tribes revolting, kill Adoram, and make Rehoboam flee
21. Rehoboam, raising an army, is forbidden by Shemaiah
25. Jeroboam strengthens himself by cities
26. and by idolatry of the two calves














When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them
This phrase highlights the pivotal moment of discontent among the tribes of Israel. The king in question is Rehoboam, Solomon's son, who had ascended to the throne. The Israelites had requested lighter burdens, but Rehoboam, rejecting the counsel of the elders, chose to follow the advice of his peers, opting for harsher measures. This refusal to listen reflects a failure in leadership and a lack of empathy, which is a recurring theme in the history of Israel's kings. It also fulfills the prophecy given to Solomon about the division of the kingdom due to his idolatry (1 Kings 11:11-13).

they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse?
This rhetorical question signifies the tribes' rejection of the Davidic dynasty's authority over them. David, the son of Jesse, was the revered king who united Israel, but his legacy is now questioned. The phrase indicates a deep-seated division and dissatisfaction with the ruling house, which had been building since Solomon's reign. This sentiment echoes the earlier rebellion of Sheba son of Bichri against David (2 Samuel 20:1), showing a historical pattern of tribal tensions.

To your tents, O Israel!
This call to action is a declaration of secession. "To your tents" is an idiomatic expression meaning to return to one's home or tribe, effectively dissolving the political unity under the Davidic king. It signifies a return to tribal independence, reminiscent of the pre-monarchic period of the Judges when Israel was a loose confederation of tribes.

Look now to your own house, O David!”
This phrase is a direct challenge to the Davidic monarchy, urging the king to focus on his own tribe, Judah, rather than the united kingdom. It underscores the division between Judah and the northern tribes, which would become the separate kingdom of Israel. This division is significant in biblical history, as it leads to the establishment of two distinct kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south.

So the Israelites went home
The conclusion of this verse marks the official split of the united kingdom into two separate entities. The northern tribes, rejecting Rehoboam's rule, form their own kingdom under Jeroboam, fulfilling Ahijah's prophecy to Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:29-31). This division has lasting implications for Israel's history, leading to different religious practices and eventual conquest by Assyria and Babylon. Theologically, it sets the stage for the prophetic calls for repentance and the hope of a future reunification under a messianic king, a type of Christ who would unite all of God's people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Rehoboam
The son of Solomon and king of Israel, whose harsh response to the people's request for lighter burdens led to the division of the kingdom.

2. Jeroboam
An official under Solomon who became the leader of the northern tribes and eventually the king of Israel after the division.

3. Israel
Refers to the northern tribes who rejected Rehoboam's rule and formed their own kingdom.

4. David
The former king of Israel, whose lineage Rehoboam belonged to, representing the united monarchy.

5. Shechem
The place where Rehoboam went to be crowned king and where the division of the kingdom took place.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Pride and Harsh Leadership
Rehoboam's refusal to listen to wise counsel and his harsh response led to the division of the kingdom. Leaders today should heed the wisdom of others and lead with humility and compassion.

The Importance of Unity
The division of Israel serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of disunity. In the church and in families, unity should be pursued and maintained through love and understanding.

God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Failure
Despite the division, God's promises to David remained. This reminds us that God's plans are not thwarted by human actions, and His sovereignty prevails.

Listening to Wise Counsel
The elders advised Rehoboam to serve the people, but he chose to listen to his peers instead. This highlights the importance of seeking and valuing wise, godly counsel in decision-making.(16) To your tents.--This war-cry was not new. It had been heard once before, during the conflict between Judah and Israel after the rebellion of Absalom, when it was silenced instantly by the relentless promptitude of Joab (2Samuel 20:1). Only the last ironical line is added, "See to thine own house, David" (which the LXX. explains as "Feed, as a shepherd, thine own house, David"). There is perhaps a sarcastic allusion to God's promise to establish the house of David: "Be a king, but only in thine own house!"

Verse 16. - So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered [Heb. brought back word to; probably after some consultation amongst themselves] the king, saying, What portion have we in David? [Same expression as 2 Samuel 20:1. The words, interpreted by this passage and 2 Samuel 19:43, mean, "Since we have no kindness or fairness from David's seed, what is his house to us? Why render homage to his son? We receive nought from him, why yield aught to him?"] neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse [i.e., "his tribe is not ours; his interests are not ours." Bahr sees in the expression "son of Jesse" "an allusion to David's humbler descent," but surely without reason. It is simply a periphrasis for the sake of the parallelism. The rhythm almost elevates the words to the rank of poetry]: to your tents, O Israel [lit., thy tents, Or dwellings; i.e., "Disperse to your homes (see 1 Kings 8:66; and cf. 2 Samuel 18:17; 2 Samuel 19:8; 2 Samuel 20:1), and prepare for war." לֺאהֶל, which means primarily a "tent," has for its secondary meaning, "habitation," "home." This cry - the Marseillaise of Israel - probably had its origin at a time when the people dwelt in tents, viz., in the march through the desert (see Joshua 22:4; Numbers 1:52; Numbers 9:18; Numbers 16:26) ]. Now see to thine own house, David [i.e., let the seed of David henceforth reign over the tribe of Judah, if it can. It shall govern the other tribes no longer. "It is not a threat of war, but a warning against interference" (Rawlinson). רָאָה has the meaning of "look after," "care for." "David, the tribe father, is mentioned in place of his family" (Keil) ]. So Israel departed unto their [lit., his] tents [see note on ch. 8:66].

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

saw
וַיַּ֣רְא (way·yar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

that
כִּ֠י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the king
הַמֶּלֶךְ֮ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

had refused
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to listen
שָׁמַ֣ע (šā·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

to them,
אֲלֵיהֶם֒ (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

[they]
הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

answered
וַיָּשִׁ֣בוּ (way·yā·ši·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

the king:
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

“What
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

portion
חֵ֨לֶק (ḥê·leq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2506: Portion, tract, territory

do we have
לָּנוּ֩ (lā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

in David,
בְּדָוִ֜ד (bə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

and what
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

inheritance
נַחֲלָ֣ה (na·ḥă·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5159: Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion

in the son
בְּבֶן־ (bə·ḇen-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Jesse?
יִשַׁ֗י (yi·šay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3448: Jesse -- father of David

To your tents,
לְאֹהָלֶ֙יךָ֙ (lə·’ō·hā·le·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 168: A tent

O Israel!
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

Look
רְאֵ֥ה (rə·’êh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

now
עַתָּ֕ה (‘at·tāh)
Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

to your own house,
בֵיתְךָ֖ (ḇê·ṯə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

O David!?
דָּוִ֑ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

So the Israelites
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

went
וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

home,
לְאֹהָלָֽיו׃ (lə·’ō·hā·lāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 168: A tent


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OT History: 1 Kings 12:16 When all Israel saw that the king (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 12:15
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