What is the meaning of 1 Kings 11:32? But one tribe will remain • In the looming division of the kingdom, the LORD limits the rupture: Jeroboam will rule ten tribes, yet “one tribe” stays under the Davidic line (1 Kings 11:13, 35–36). • Practically, that tribe is Judah; Benjamin is historically folded into Judah’s territory (1 Kings 12:20-21; 2 Chron 11:12-14), so the united remnant is often spoken of simply as “Judah.” • God’s decision is not a concession to politics but a deliberate act preserving His promise. The literal survival of one tribe underscores His sovereign control even in chastening. for the sake of My servant David • The LORD keeps covenant with David despite Solomon’s failure (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 89:34-37). • David is labeled “My servant,” a term of both affection and commission; his heart after God (1 Samuel 13:14) secures mercy for his line. • This preservation ensures an unbroken line ultimately leading to the Messiah (Isaiah 9:7; Matthew 1:1), showing that divine promises outlast human inconsistency. and for the sake of Jerusalem • Jerusalem houses the temple Solomon had just dedicated (1 Kings 8:29). God’s name dwells there, so He protects the city even as He disciplines the nation (Psalm 132:13-14; 2 Kings 21:4). • The city’s welfare is tied to worship: without a Davidic king in Jerusalem, the lamp of true worship would flicker (1 Kings 15:4). • By centering the remnant in Jerusalem, God maintains a visible witness to His covenantal faithfulness amid national fracture. the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel • God’s choice of Jerusalem is unilateral—He selects it “out of all the tribes” (2 Chron 6:6). This echoes earlier instructions to seek “the place the LORD will choose” (Deuteronomy 12:5). • His election of a place, like His election of a people, is purposeful: it anchors worship, prophecy, and eventually redemption (Luke 24:46-47). • The phrase affirms literal geography and history; God’s plans engage real cities and tribes, grounding faith in concrete realities rather than abstractions (2 Chron 7:16). summary 1 Kings 11:32 explains why, in a period of deserved judgment, God restricts the schism to ten tribes. One tribe—Judah (with Benjamin)—remains because God is keeping two intertwined commitments: His covenant with David and His choice of Jerusalem. The verse showcases the LORD’s faithfulness, safeguarding the Davidic line and the temple city so that worship and promise continue unbroken, paving the way for His ultimate redemption through the Messiah. |
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