1 Kings 14:29-31
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse subtly points to how the biblical narrative prioritizes spiritual legacy over mere historical record. While the "Chronicles of the Kings of Judah" likely contained a detailed, secular history of events, the Scripture here highlights only what's spiritually significant and instructive for us today. The implication is that the Bible's story, though selective, is the one truly worth preserving and understanding.
Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually. And Rehoboam slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite. And Abijam his son reigned in his place.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse appears at the end of a section detailing Rehoboam's reign, which was marked by his folly and the division of the united kingdom after Solomon. The preceding verses describe his spiritual decline and ongoing conflict with Jeroboam, the king of Israel. This concluding statement serves as a literary device, redirecting the reader to the more detailed historical records while signaling the end of this specific narrative segment concerning Rehoboam's life.
Ever wonder about the dusty old history books of the Bible? This verse points us to one of them.
The Bible often references other historical records, like the "Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah." This wasn't part of the inspired Scripture we have today, but an official royal archive.
Think of it like the difference between a government's official press releases and the inspired Word of God. The Chronicles likely contained detailed accounts of reigns, battles, building projects, and administrative details.
This verse tells us that the full, day-to-day activities of Rehoboam were recorded in this separate, official history. What we have in Kings is the divinely selected, spiritually significant narrative.
Why doesn't the Bible tell us everything? This verse hints at the purpose of Scripture.
The inspired books of Kings and Chronicles (the canonical ones we read) aren't just history dumps. They are carefully curated accounts designed to reveal God's character, His covenant faithfulness, and His judgment on sin.
While the "Chronicles of the Kings of Judah" might have had every detail of Rehoboam's life, our Bible focuses on what is spiritually instructive. It shows us the consequences of his choices, particularly his turning away from God, rather than just listing his decrees or the number of his chariots.
The sacred text prioritizes the eternal over the ephemeral, the spiritual over the purely political or personal. It highlights the lessons that echo through generations, pointing us to faith or warning us against disobedience.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
sēpher / dabbār (yamiym) · Hebrew Noun phrase
An official royal record kept in ancient Israel and Judah, documenting the public affairs, wars, and administration of the monarchs. These books reflect the theological interpretation of history, evaluating kings by their obedience to God's covenant.
milchâmâh · Hebrew Noun
A state of armed conflict between nations or groups. In the biblical narrative, war is often a consequence of sin, covenant infidelity, or divine judgment upon the land.
shakav im aboth · Hebrew Verb
A common biblical euphemism for death, implying rest after the labors of life and anticipation of the gathering with ancestors in the afterlife.
ab · Hebrew Noun
A term referring to the lineage or ancestors of an individual; in a royal context, it specifically refers to the preceding kings of the Davidic dynasty.
iyr David · Hebrew Proper Noun
The political and religious center of the Davidic kingdom, established by King David; it carries profound theological significance as the location of the Temple and the seat of the promised eternal throne.
Ammonith · Hebrew Adjective
A designation identifying an individual's ethnic or national origin, used here to highlight the foreign lineage of the Queen Mother, which is often noted in historical accounts to provide context for a king's reign or religious inclinations.
malak · Hebrew Verb
To exercise sovereign authority, rule, or govern over a people; in the context of the Davidic dynasty, it signifies the continuation of the God-ordained monarchy.
This verse points to the existence of official court histories ('The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah') that recorded the reigns of Israelite and Judean kings, serving as the primary source material for the books we have today.
c. 975 BC
Death of King Solomon
Solomon's long and prosperous reign ends, leaving a divided kingdom. His son Rehoboam is set to inherit the throne.
c. 975 BC
The Kingdom Divides
Rehoboam's harsh response to the people's plea for lighter taxes causes the ten northern tribes to secede, forming the Kingdom of Israel. Only Judah and Benjamin remain loyal, forming the Kingdom of Judah.
c. 970-950 BC— this verse
Reign of Rehoboam Begins
Rehoboam rules the southern Kingdom of Judah from Jerusalem. His reign is marked by internal conflict and the loss of the northern tribes.
c. 950s BC
Invasion by Shishak of Egypt
Pharaoh Shishak I invades Judah, sacking Jerusalem and looting the Temple. This event highlights Rehoboam's weak rule and the kingdom's vulnerability.
c. 945-930 BC
Reign of Abijam
Rehoboam's son, Abijam, succeeds him. His reign is also characterized by conflict with the northern kingdom of Israel.
This passage also references the 'Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah,' suggesting that the historical record was a consistent source for understanding the kings' reigns and actions, including Rehoboam's.
2 Chronicles 16:11Like 1 Kings 14:29, this verse points to 'the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah' as the source for detailed accounts of a king's life, emphasizing the existence and importance of these historical annals.
Esther 10:2This verse similarly directs readers to 'the Book of Records of the Chronicles' for further information about King Ahasuerus, showing a pattern in ancient Israelite and Persian literature of referring to official chronicles for historical details.
Nehemiah 7:5Nehemiah refers to a 'genealogical roll of those who had come up at the first,' indicating that detailed records were kept and consulted for important historical and genealogical information, similar to the chronicles mentioned for Rehoboam.
This verse subtly points to how the biblical narrative prioritizes spiritual legacy over mere historical record. While the "Chronicles of the Kings of Judah" likely contained a detailed, secular history of events, the Scripture here highlights only what's spiritually significant and instructive for us today. The implication is that the Bible's story, though selective, is the one truly worth preserving and understanding.
This verse appears at the end of a section detailing Rehoboam's reign, which was marked by his folly and the division of the united kingdom after Solomon. The preceding verses describe his spiritual decline and ongoing conflict with Jeroboam, the king of Israel. This concluding statement serves as a literary device, redirecting the reader to the more detailed historical records while signaling the end of this specific narrative segment concerning Rehoboam's life.
This verse appears at the end of a section detailing Rehoboam's reign, which was marked by his folly and the division of the united kingdom after Solomon. The preceding verses describe his spiritual decline and ongoing conflict with Jeroboam, the king of Israel. This concluding statement serves as a literary device, redirecting the reader to the more detailed historical records while signaling the end of this specific narrative segment concerning Rehoboam's life.
"Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually. And Rehoboam slept with his fathers and was bu…" — This verse subtly points to how the biblical narrative prioritizes spiritual legacy over mere historical record. While the "Chronicles of the Kings of Judah" likely contained a detailed, secular hist…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
