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.
Ver. 11. Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon.] He said it, and he did: though Solomon repented, yet since the decree was come forth, it was accomplished. Repentance may come too late in respect of temporal judgments.
I will surely rend the kingdom.] God loves to retaliate. Solomon had let go the sincere service of God by sharing himself between him and idols: his servant therefore shall share the kingdom with his son, and bear away the better half from him.