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;

1 KINGS 14:8KJV
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1 Kings 14:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 14:8 mean?

1 Kings 14:8 says that God took the kingdom away from the family of David and gave it to another, but the new king did not follow God as David did. The verse highlights that David is remembered for keeping God’s commandments and following God with all his heart, doing only what was right in God’s eyes.

In this verse, the prophet Ahijah is speaking God’s message to Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel. The situation is a rebuke: Jeroboam has not lived up to the example set by David, even though God gave him the kingdom. The verse draws a strong contrast between David’s wholehearted loyalty and Jeroboam’s failure to obey.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 14:8

  • "Rent" (קָרַע, qaraʿ) means to tear or rip apart. This word paints a vivid picture of God forcefully removing the kingdom from David’s family, not just a peaceful transfer.
  • "Followed" (הָלַךְ, halakh + אַחַר, achar) literally means to walk after. The phrase shows that David’s relationship with God was active and ongoing, not just a one-time decision.
  • "Heart" (לֵבָב, levav) refers to the inner self or will. Saying David followed God with all his heart emphasizes sincerity and total commitment, not just outward actions.
  • "Right" (יָשָׁר, yashar) means straight or upright. The verse stresses that David’s actions lined up with what God himself considered right, not just human standards.

Why 1 Kings 14:8 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that all kings of Israel were judged by the same standard; David is held up as the model of loyalty and obedience.
  • The verse explains why Jeroboam’s reign is seen as a failure: not simply because he sinned, but because he did not try to follow God as David did.
  • It connects to the larger story of Israel’s divided kingdom, showing that God’s promises and judgments are based on faithfulness, not just on family lines or political power.

Where else these words appear

“rent” 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;

“right” Hebrew H3477 · used in 119 verses

  • Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
  • 2 Chronicles 29:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.
  • Proverbs 2:7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.