Therefore: This is a translation of the common Hebrew conjunction, which seems to convey a logical connection in this case. It was because of Solomon’s refusal to obey the commandment about foreign gods that God spoke in this way.

Since this has been your mind is literally “because this has been with you.” The expression refers to Solomon’s intentional violation of the clear and direct order from God. The meaning has been translated in a variety of ways including the following: “Because you have done this” (Revised English Bible), “Since this is what you want” (New American Bible), “Because you are guilty of this” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), and “Since you have behaved like this” (New Jerusalem Bible). For languages that do not allow a “because” clause to come first, see the International Children’s Bible model below.

You have not kept my covenant and my statutes: For covenant see 1 Kgs 3.15, and for statutes refer to 1 Kgs 2.3. My covenant is the covenant that God made with David and his descendants. It is surprising to read my covenant and my statutes since the more common phrase is “my commandments and my statutes.” In fact, the Septuagint reads “my commandments and my statutes” here, and this reading is followed by De Vries, but this is not recommended.

I will surely tear the kingdom from you: I will surely tear is literally “to tear I will tear.” This Hebrew idiom serves to strengthen the note of certainty in what is said or promised. Revised Standard Version expresses this nuance by the word surely, while Good News Translation expresses it with the words “I promise.” The image of “tearing” the kingdom from the hand of Solomon is repeated in the next verse. It is as if the king is holding the kingdom in his hand and God plucks it away from him. Some languages may need to remove some of the imagery here; for example, “I promise that I will take the kingdom away from you” (Good News Translation) or “I will deprive you of the kingdom” (New American Bible). On the other hand, some may find it quite natural to retain the image.

Your servant: God’s words to Solomon are repeated in verse 31 to Jeroboam, who is Solomon’s servant. As often in the Old Testament, the word servant means “official” here (see the comments on 1 Kgs 1.2). Since Solomon had more than one official, some translations say “one of your officials/servants” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation, Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie).

International Children’s Bible breaks down the single sentence of the direct quotation in this verse into four separate sentences as follows:

• You have chosen to break your agreement with me. You have not obeyed my commands. So I promise I will tear your kingdom away from you. I will give it to one of your officers.

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 .