What is the context?
The LORD’s anger is directed at Solomon because his heart has turned away. God had appeared to him twice and explicitly warned him not to follow other gods, but he has not kept that command.
The consequence is the tearing away of the kingdom and its transfer to a servant. Yet the judgment has limits: for David’s sake it will happen in the next generation, and Solomon’s son will retain a tribe for the sake of David and Jerusalem.
The same announcement holds together the seriousness of Solomon’s failure and the LORD’s continuing regard for His earlier promise.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Wesley and Gill connect the mercy shown for David’s sake with God’s promise to him. The delay and the remaining royal rule are not presented as rewards for Solomon’s idolatry.
Gill discusses several ways of understanding the reference to one tribe alongside Judah and Benjamin. The central point of the announcement is clear without settling every detail of that count: much of the kingdom will be taken away, while David’s royal house will continue.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.