1 Kings 11:36

36 I'll leave one tribe to his son, to maintain a witness to my servant David in Jerusalem, the city I chose as a memorial to my Name.

1 Kings 11:36 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 11:36

And unto his son will I give one tribe
Judah and Benjamin reckoned as one; (See Gill on 1 Kings 11:13), that David my servant may have a light always before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there; or a kingdom, as the Targum; or an illustrious prince, a successor, shining in royal majesty and glory, to guide and direct, cheer and comfort, the people of Israel; be an honour to David's family, and a means of continuing the pure worship of God in the temple at Jerusalem; see ( 2 Samuel 21:17 ) ( Psalms 132:17 ) .

1 Kings 11:36 In-Context

34 "Still, I won't take the whole kingdom away from him. I'll stick with him through his lifetime because of my servant David whom I chose and who did follow my directions and obey my orders.

35 But after that I'll remove the kingdom from his son's control and give you ten tribes.

36 I'll leave one tribe to his son, to maintain a witness to my servant David in Jerusalem, the city I chose as a memorial to my Name.

37 "But I have taken you in hand. Rule to your heart's content! You are to be the king of Israel.

38 If you listen to what I tell you and live the way I show you and do what pleases me, following directions and obeying orders as my servant David did, I'll stick with you no matter what. I'll build you a kingdom as solid as the one I built for David. Israel will be yours!