Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon Probably by some prophet. I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and give it to thy servant Namely, Jeroboam, whom God permitted to rise into power and influence, that he might take the greatest part of his kingdom from him. This was enough to astonish Solomon, or any man, to hear that all his splendour should be so soon eclipsed! Notwithstanding, in thy days I will not do it Or, not suffer it to be done; for in this sense these expressions are to be taken. For David thy father's sake For my promise made to him. But will give one tribe to thy son The tribe of Judah. Benjamin was not entirely his, but part of it adhered to Jeroboam, as Beth-el, 1 Kings 12:29; and Hephron, 2 Chronicles 13:19; both which were towns of Benjamin. For David my servant's sake Who, though he was guilty of great sins, yet never forsook God to follow the abominations of idols; nor ever swerved long from God's commandments, but made haste to repent and amend his ways, whenever he offended. And for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen Not literally, for the sake of the city Jerusalem, but for the great and precious purposes to mankind in general, which God intended to bring about, in his divine providence, by keeping up the knowledge of himself at Jerusalem.
Related Commentaries of 1 Kings 11:11
1 Kings 11:11-13
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.
12 Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.
13 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.