Definition: And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 1 Kings 11:31. It’s a really important and dramatic passage in the Bible that talks about God’s plan for Israel after Solomon’s reign. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: God is saying, "After Solomon's kingdom ends, I'm going to take back the entire land of Israel and give it to you, Jeroboam." Let’s unpack it word by word: “And he said…” : This sets up a statement from God. “…to Jeroboam…” : This identifies who is being addressed – Jeroboam, the son of Solomon. He’s the king who succeeded Solomon and was given control over the kingdom. “…Take thee ten pieces:” : God is telling Jeroboam to take ten specific things back. This isn't just a casual request; it’s a clear instruction. “For thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel…” : This is where it gets significant. It’s a direct message from God himself – a powerful declaration. “…Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon…” : This is the key part. "Rend" means to tear or destroy. “The hand of Solomon” refers to the entire kingdom that Solomon built. God intends to completely take back this kingdom. “…and will give ten tribes to thee:” : Finally, God says that he will give these ten tribes (the remaining descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel) to Jeroboam as his own. What’s happening? This verse is a significant shift in power and control after Solomon's death. It highlights God’s plan for the future of Israel, moving it away from the kingly rule that had been established under Solomon. It essentially marks the beginning of a period where God is establishing His own authority over the land. Important Context: This verse is part of a larger story about conflict and division within the Kingdom of Israel. It sets the stage for the story of the divided tribes, which ultimately leads to a time of exile and further upheaval in the history of the Israelites. --- To help me explain it even better for you, could you tell me: What specifically are you curious about? (e.g., Are you wondering why God is doing this? Do you want more detail on a particular part of the verse?)