1 Kings 14:8
New International Version
I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, but you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commands and followed me with all his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes.

New Living Translation
I ripped the kingdom away from the family of David and gave it to you. But you have not been like my servant David, who obeyed my commands and followed me with all his heart and always did whatever I wanted.

English Standard Version
and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, and yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, doing only that which was right in my eyes,

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;

New King James Version
and tore the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it to you; and yet you have not been as My servant David, who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, to do only what was right in My eyes;

New American Standard Bible
and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you—yet you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and followed Me with all his heart, to do only that which was right in My sight;

NASB 1995
and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you— yet you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, to do only that which was right in My sight;

NASB 1977
and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you—yet you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, to do only that which was right in My sight;

Legacy Standard Bible
and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you—yet you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and who walked after Me with all his heart, to do only that which was right in My sight;

Amplified Bible
and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you—but you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and followed Me with all his heart, to do only what was right in My eyes,

Christian Standard Bible
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 commands and followed me with all his heart, doing only what is right in my sight.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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 commands and followed Me with all of his heart, doing only what is right in My eyes.

American Standard Version
and rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee; and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes,

Contemporary English Version
I even took David's kingdom away from his family and gave it to you. But you are not like my servant David. He always obeyed me and did what was right.

English Revised Version
and rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I tore the kingdom away from David's heirs and gave it to you. But you have not been like my servant David. He obeyed my commands and faithfully followed me by doing only what I considered right.

Good News Translation
I took the kingdom away from David's descendants and gave it to you. But you have not been like my servant David, who was completely loyal to me, obeyed my commands, and did only what I approve of.

International Standard Version
I tore the kingdom away from David's dynasty. 'Then I gave it to you. But you have not lived like my servant David, who kept my commands with all his heart, and did only what I considered to be right.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
I tore the kingdom away from the Davidic dynasty and gave it to you. But you are not like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me wholeheartedly by doing only what I approve.

New Heart English Bible
and tore the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it you; and yet you have not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in my eyes,

Webster's Bible Translation
And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it to thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in my eyes;

World English Bible
and tore the kingdom away from David’s house, and gave it you; and yet you have not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in my eyes,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and tear the kingdom from the house of David, and give it to you—and you have not been as My servant David who kept My commands, and who walked after Me with all his heart, to only do that which [is] right in My eyes,

Young's Literal Translation
and rend the kingdom from the house of David, and give it to thee, -- and thou hast not been as My servant David who kept My commands, and who walked after Me with all his heart, to do only that which is right in Mine eyes,

Smith's Literal Translation
And I will rend the kingdom from the house of David, and I will give it to thee: and thou wert not as my servant David who watched my commands and who went after me with all his heart to do only the straight in mine eyes;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it to thee, and thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and followed me with all his heart, doing that which was well pleasing in my sight:

Catholic Public Domain Version
and I tore the kingdom away from the house of David, and I gave it to you, yet you have not been like David, my servant, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with his whole heart, doing what was pleasing in my sight.

New American Bible
I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you. Yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with his whole heart, doing only what is right in my sight.

New Revised Standard Version
and tore the kingdom away from the house of David to give it to you; yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, doing only that which was right in my sight,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you; and yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in my sight;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I have torn the kingdom from those of the house of David and I have given it to you, and you have not been like David my Servant, who kept my commands, and walked after me with all his heart to do what is beautiful before me.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee; and yet thou hast not been as My servant David, who kept My commandments, and who followed Me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in Mine eyes;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ahijah's Prophecy Against Jeroboam
7Go, tell Jeroboam that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I raised you up from among the people and appointed you ruler over My people Israel. 8I 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. 9You have done more evil than all who came before you. You have proceeded to make for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke Me, and you have flung Me behind your back.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 13:14
But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”

Acts 13:22
After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’

1 Kings 15:5
For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not turned aside from anything the LORD commanded all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

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 Samuel 16:1
Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”

1 Samuel 16:13
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

2 Samuel 5:2
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.’”

2 Samuel 7:8-9
Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel. / I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like that of the greatest in the land.

1 Kings 11:31-33
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.

1 Kings 11:38
If you listen to all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight in order to keep My statutes and commandments as My servant David did, then I will be with you. I will build you a lasting dynasty just as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you.

2 Kings 19:34
I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”

2 Chronicles 17:3
Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals,

Psalm 89:20-21
I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him. / My hand will sustain him; surely My arm will strengthen him.

Psalm 89:28-29
I will forever preserve My loving devotion for him, and My covenant with him will stand fast. / I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure.

Isaiah 55:3-4
Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David. / Behold, I have made him a witness to the nations, a leader and commander of the peoples.


Treasury of Scripture

And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it you: and yet you have not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in my eyes;

rent

1 Kings 11:30,31
And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces: …

my servant David

1 Kings 3:14
And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

1 Kings 11:33-38
Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father…

1 Kings 15:5
Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

Jump to Previous
Commandments Commands David Eyes Followed Force Heart House Kept Kingdom Orders Rend Rent Right Seed Servant Sight Tore
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Commandments Commands David Eyes Followed Force Heart House Kept Kingdom Orders Rend Rent Right Seed Servant Sight Tore
1 Kings 14
1. Abijah being sick,
2. Jeroboam sends his wife, disguised, with presents to the prophet Ahijah
5. Ahijah forewarned by God, denounces God's judgment
17. Abijah dies, and is buried
19. Nadab succeeds Jeroboam
21. Rehoboam's wicked reign,
25. Shishak raids Jerusalem
29. Abijam succeeds Rehoboam














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.

Verse 8. - And rent [same word as in the former prophecy of Ahijah, 1 Kings 11:30, 31] the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David [who had been proposed to Jeroboam as his example, 1 Kings 11:38. This name, as that of a prince of the rival house, would now be almost hateful to Jeroboam], who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart [cf. 1 Kings 11:33, 38; 1 Kings 15:5], to do that only which was right in mine eyes;

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I tore the kingdom
הַמַּמְלָכָה֙ (ham·mam·lā·ḵāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4467: Kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, reign

away
וָאֶקְרַ֤ע (wā·’eq·ra‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7167: To rend

from the house
מִבֵּ֣ית (mib·bêṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

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

and gave it
וָאֶתְּנֶ֖הָ (wā·’et·tə·ne·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to you.
לָ֑ךְ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

But you were
הָיִ֜יתָ (hā·yî·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

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

like My servant
כְּעַבְדִּ֣י (kə·‘aḇ·dî)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

David,
דָוִ֗ד (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

who
אֲשֶׁר֩ (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

kept
שָׁמַ֨ר (šā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

My commandments
מִצְוֺתַ֜י (miṣ·wō·ṯay)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4687: Commandment

and
וַאֲשֶׁר־ (wa·’ă·šer-)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

followed
הָלַ֤ךְ (hā·laḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

Me with all
בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

his heart,
לְבָב֔וֹ (lə·ḇā·ḇōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

doing
לַעֲשׂ֕וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

only
רַ֖ק (raq)
Adverb
Strong's 7535: But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless

[what was] right
הַיָּשָׁ֥ר (hay·yā·šār)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3477: Straight, right

in My eyes.
בְּעֵינָֽי׃ (bə·‘ê·nāy)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | first person common singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain


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OT History: 1 Kings 14:8 And tore the kingdom away (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 14:7
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