Definition: Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,
Explanation:
Okay, let’s break down this passage from 1 Kings 12:23. It's a pretty important and somewhat dramatic verse in the Old Testament!
Here's what it means, explained simply:
“Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying…”
Basically, this is a
warning
from God to King Solomon. Let's unpack it piece by piece:
“Speak unto Rehoboam…”
: This refers to King Solomon himself – the king who built the Temple in Jerusalem.
“…the son of Solomon…”
: We know he’s the son of King David, and his father was King Solomon.
“…king of Judah…”
: This means he's the ruler of the kingdom of Judah, which is a very important region within Israel.
“…and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin…”
: This is crucial – it’s
everyone
within the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin. These were two of the most powerful and influential tribes in ancient Israel.
“And to the remnant of the people…”
: This means that God is warning him about the future fate of his people. “Remnant” implies a group who
might
still exist after the main population has been lost.
So, what's the message?
God is telling Solomon to give a clear and serious warning to all of his people:
“Don’t be foolish! Don’t make choices that will lead to disaster.”
He’s essentially saying that if he makes a bad decision, it could have devastating consequences for everyone.
What does this mean in the grand scheme of things?
This verse is often interpreted as a warning about the dangers of:
Pride:
Solomon was known for his ambition and desire to be seen as powerful. This verse suggests that excessive pride could lead him to make a disastrous choice.
Ignoring God’s Will:
The verse highlights the importance of listening to wise counsel and following God's guidance, even when it means making difficult decisions.
In short, it’s a cautionary tale about the consequences of prioritizing personal ambition over wisdom and obedience.
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Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like to know:
What "remnant" refers to?
How this verse relates to the story of Solomon’s downfall?