26 And Jeroboam son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda—the name of whose mother 'is' Zeruah, a widow woman—servant to Solomon, he also lifteth up a hand against the king; 27 and this 'is' the thing 'for' which he lifted up a hand against the king: Solomon built Millo—he shut up the breach of the city of David his father, 28 and the man Jeroboam 'is' mighty in valour, and Solomon seeth the young man that he is doing business, and appointeth him over all the burden of the house of Joseph. 29 And it cometh to pass, at that time, that Jeroboam hath gone out from Jerusalem, and Ahijah the Shilonite, the prophet, findeth him in the way, and he is covering himself with a new garment; and both of them 'are' by themselves in a field, 30 and Ahijah layeth hold on the new garment that 'is' on him, and rendeth it—twelve pieces, 31 and saith to Jeroboam, 'Take to thee ten pieces, for thus said Jehovah, God of Israel, lo, I am rending the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and have given to thee the ten tribes, 32 and the one tribe he hath for My servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have fixed on, out of all the tribes of Israel. 33 'Because they have forsaken Me, and bow themselves to Ashtoreth, god'dess' of the Zidonians, to Chemosh god of Moab, and to Milcom god of the sons of Ammon, and have not walked in My ways, to do that which 'is' right in Mine eyes, and My statutes and My judgments, like David his father. 34 'And I do not take the whole of the kingdom out of his hand, for prince I make him all days of his life, for the sake of David My servant whom I chose, who kept My commands and My statutes; 35 and I have taken the kingdom out of the hand of his son, and given it to thee—the ten tribes; 36 and to his son I give one tribe, for there being a lamp to David My servant all the days before Me in Jerusalem, the city that I have chosen to Myself to put My name there. 37 'And thee I take, and thou hast reigned over all that thy soul desireth, and thou hast been king over Israel; 38 and it hath been, if thou dost hear all that I command thee, and hast walked in My ways, and done that which is right in Mine eyes, to keep My statutes and My commands, as did David My servant, that I have been with thee, and have built for thee a stedfast house, as I built for David, and have given to thee Israel, 39 and I humble the seed of David for this; only, not all the days.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 11:26-39
Commentary on 1 Kings 11:26-40
(Read 1 Kings 11:26-40)
In telling the reason why God rent the kingdom from the house of Solomon, Ahijah warned Jeroboam to take heed of sinning away his preferment. Yet the house of David must be supported; out of it the Messiah would arise. Solomon sought to kill his successor. Had not he taught others, that whatever devices are in men's hearts, the counsel of the Lord shall stand? Yet he himself thinks to defeat that counsel. Jeroboam withdrew into Egypt, and was content to live in exile and obscurity for awhile, being sure of a kingdom at last. Shall not we be content, who have a better kingdom in reserve?