1 Kings 11:12 MEANING

(12, 13) For David my servant's sake--that is, evidently, in order to fulfil the promise to David. By the postponement of the chastisement, the blessing promised to his son personally would be still preserved; by the retaining of the kingdom, though shorn of its splendour, and limited to Judah, the larger and more important promise, the continuance of the family of David till the coming of the Messiah, would be fulfilled. The "one tribe" is, of course, Judah, with which Benjamin was indissolubly united by the very position of the capital on its frontier. This is curiously indicated in 1 Kings 11:31-32, where "ten tribes" are given to Jeroboam, and the remainder out of the twelve is still called "one tribe."

Verse 12. - Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it [The threatening had two gracious and merciful limitations,

(1) The blow should not fall until after his death (cf. ver. 34; 1 Kings 21:29; 2 Kings 22:20), and

(2) the disruption should be but partial. There should be a "remnant" Romans 9:27; Romans 11:5, etc.] for David thy father's sake [i.e., because both of David's piety and God's promise to him (2 Samuel 7:13) ]: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

11:9-13 The Lord told Solomon, it is likely by a prophet, what he must expect for his apostacy. Though we have reason to hope that he repented, and found mercy, yet the Holy Ghost did not expressly record it, but left it doubtful, as a warning to others not to sin. The guilt may be taken away, but not the reproach; that will remain. Thus it must remain uncertain to us till the day of judgment, whether or not Solomon was left to suffer the everlasting displeasure of an offended God.Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake,.... Not for the merits of David, but the promises made to him, 2 Samuel 7:12,

but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son; and immediate successor, Rehoboam.