The children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah. — The expression is doubly significant. (a) Historically the tribe of Judah had its semi-dependent tribes — Simeon, already absorbed into Judah; Dan, in great part transferred to the extreme north; and Benjamin, closely united to Judah by the position of Jerusalem. All these, it would seem, are here included — so that the territory of the southern kingdom would be really the Judœa of later times. In addition to these, we find from 2 Chronicles 11:13-16, that, at any rate after the idolatry of Jeroboam, priests and Levites and other Israelites made their way into the cities of Judah. (b) But, besides this, there may be a significance in the phrase “children of Israel.” Although the northern kingdom henceforth inherited the proud title of the kingdom of Israel, the phrase, as here used, is perhaps intended to remind the reader that in Judah also dwelt “children of Israel” — true descendants of the “Prince of God,” and inheritors of the promise.
Related Commentaries of 1 Kings 12:17
1 Kings 12:17
17 But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.