(4) Thus saith the Lord.--The words of the prophecy are reported as in 1Kings 12:24, omitting "the sons of Israel" after "your brethren."

This thing is done of me.--Literally, from me became (arose) this matter; viz., of the revolt of the ten tribes. (Comp. 2Chronicles 10:15 : "For the cause was of God.")

Words.--"Word," Kings and the versions here, no doubt rightly, as this is the usual phrase. But comp. 1Samuel 15:1.

From going against Jeroboam.--Kings, "To go away, according to the word of the Lord "--a tautology which the chronicler has avoided. The rest of the chapter is wanting in the Syriac and Arabic Versions, which have instead 1Kings 12:25-30; 1Kings 13:34; 1Kings 14:1-9, where they break off abruptly, without finishing Ahijah's prophecy.

Verse 4. - This thing is from me; i.e. the punishing disruption; not the precedent causes with the entirety of historical events; this punishing and witnessing disruption is not to be "lightly healed" The man who did what caused it, the men who did what caused it, cannot thus each undo what they have done - least of all undo it by the appeal of war. They and theirs will have, long as life lasts, as lives last, to go through the baptism of bitter suffering, and leave a heritage of the same for others.

11:1-12 A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are destitute of true faith, will at times pay some regard to the word of God, and be kept by it from wrong actions, to which they are prone by nature.And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem,.... After he had been at Shechem, and had given his answer to the request of the men of Israel, upon which they revolted from him: this and the three following verses are the same with 1 Kings 12:21. See Gill on 1 Kings 12:21.