However: This verse begins with another Hebrew adverb (not the same one as at the beginning of verse 12), which is often translated “only” or “surely.” It introduces an additional concession on the part of God: the tearing away would not be complete. Both Revised English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible translate it “Even so.”

I will give one tribe to your son: The one tribe is probably a reference to the tribe of Judah. Some interpreters, however, claim that the reference is to the tribe of Benjamin (see 1 Kgs 12.21-24) since Judah belonged to the Davidic dynasty already. It is clear that Judah forms one of the two tribes not included in the other ten tribes. However, it is not clear whether the other tribe is Benjamin or Simeon. By this time the tribe of Levi no longer had its own territory. And from the earliest times the territories of Judah and Simeon overlapped. But it also seems that the tribe of Benjamin was merged into the tribe of Judah. In 1 Kgs 12.21 it is said that Rehoboam “assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin.”

Contemporary English Version has the following footnote on verses 31-32: “By this time the tribe of Simeon had become part of the tribe of Judah. ‘One tribe’ refers to Judah.” But in light of the uncertainty whether the reference is to Judah or to Benjamin, it will be better to indicate in the footnote that the reference may be to either Judah or Benjamin.

Jerusalem which I have chosen: The same thing is said of Jerusalem in verse 32 (see also 1 Kgs 8.44, 48; 2 Kgs 23.27).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .