And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.

1 KINGS 12:21KJV
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1 Kings 12:21 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 12:21 mean?

1 Kings 12:21 describes how Rehoboam, after returning to Jerusalem, gathered the people of Judah and Benjamin—180,000 chosen warriors—to fight against the northern tribes of Israel in an attempt to reunite the kingdom under his rule. This verse shows Rehoboam’s immediate response to the division of Israel after the ten northern tribes broke away.

The setting is right after the kingdom of Israel split into two: the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah, including Benjamin). Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, is trying to regain control over all Israel by force. The verse highlights the seriousness of the split and the determination of Rehoboam to restore his authority, showing the tension and conflict that followed Solomon’s reign.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 12:21

  • "Assembled" (קָהַל, qāhal): This word means to gather or summon people together, often for a significant purpose. Here, it emphasizes that Rehoboam is not acting alone but is rallying an entire community for war.
  • "Warriors" (עֹשֵׂי מִלְחָמָה, ʿōsê milḥāmāh): The phrase means "doers of war" or "warriors," highlighting that these were not just ordinary men but experienced fighters, ready for battle.
  • "To bring...again" (לְהָשִׁיב, lehashiv): This verb means "to return" or "to restore." Rehoboam’s goal is not just to fight, but specifically to restore the united kingdom to himself, showing his intent to reverse the split.

Why 1 Kings 12:21 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the division of Israel was not a peaceful separation but immediately led to the threat of civil war, underlining the seriousness of the split.
  • The mention of both Judah and Benjamin shows that the southern kingdom was not just one tribe but included Benjamin, which is important for understanding the makeup of the kingdoms.
  • The large number of chosen warriors (180,000) highlights the scale of the conflict and the determination of Rehoboam to assert his claim, setting the stage for the events that follow in the chapter.

Where else these words appear

“kingdom” Hebrew H4410 · used in 23 verses

  • 1 Samuel 10:16 And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.
  • 1 Kings 1:46 And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom.
  • Psalms 22:28 For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.

“fourscore” Hebrew H8084 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 5:25 And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:
  • 2 Samuel 19:35 I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
  • 2 Chronicles 14:8 And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.

“assembled” Hebrew H6950 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
  • Numbers 20:10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
  • 2 Chronicles 5:2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.

“Rehoboam” Hebrew H7346 · used in 41 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:43 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Kings 14:30 And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.
  • 2 Chronicles 11:3 Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,