I Kings 11:39

A common misinterpretation views this as God permanently abandoning or cursing David's lineage, ignoring the explicit 'not for ever' qualifier and the broader context of conditional covenant faithfulness; others wrongly apply it to justify ongoing national divisions today or overlook how Solomon's personal sins of foreign idolatry directly provoked the kingdom's split, rather than seeing it as targeted discipline with hope of restoration.

This verse underscores God's balanced justice and mercy toward the Davidic line amid Solomon's idolatry; He promises to afflict David's descendants by dividing the kingdom as discipline, yet assures it will not last forever, preserving the covenant promise of an enduring throne through David, pointing ultimately to the eternal reign of the Messiah.