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.

1 KINGS 11:13KJV
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1 Kings 11:13 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 11:13 mean?

1 Kings 11:13 means that God will not completely take away the kingdom from Solomon’s family, but will allow Solomon’s son to keep control over one tribe. This is done for the sake of David, Solomon’s father, and because of God’s special choice of Jerusalem.

In this verse, God is speaking to Solomon through the prophet Ahijah. The situation is that Solomon has turned away from God, so most of the kingdom will be given to someone else. However, out of respect for David and because Jerusalem is important to God, Solomon’s son will still rule over one tribe, preserving a small part of the kingdom.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 11:13

  • מַמְלָכָה (mamlakhah, “kingdom”): This word points to the idea of a united nation under a single ruler. The verse highlights that this unity will be broken, but not entirely lost.
  • שֵׁבֶט (shevet, “tribe”): This word refers to a distinct group within Israel. The promise of “one tribe” shows that Solomon’s family line will not be cut off completely, but will continue in a limited way.
  • בָּחַר (bachar, “chosen”): Used here for Jerusalem, this word emphasizes that God’s decision to preserve part of the kingdom is tied to His special selection of Jerusalem as a central place.

Why 1 Kings 11:13 matters

  • 1 Kings 11:13 clears up that God’s judgment on Solomon is not total; there is still mercy and a future for David’s line, even after failure.
  • The verse explains why Jerusalem remains central in Israel’s story, showing that God’s choices are not only about people but also about places.
  • This verse sets up the later division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah, helping readers understand why the southern kingdom (Judah) continues with David’s descendants.

Where else these words appear

“Howbeit” Hebrew H7535 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
  • Joshua 6:18 And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
  • 1 Kings 8:25 Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.

“away” Hebrew H7167 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 37:29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.
  • 1 Kings 11:11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.

“kingdom” Hebrew H4467 · used in 113 verses

  • Genesis 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
  • 2 Kings 15:19 And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
  • Isaiah 14:16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;