In 1 Kings 11:38 the Lord addresses Jeroboam with a promise and the requirements that are necessary in order to receive it. The conditions are almost identical to those that God placed upon Solomon in connection with the building of the temple and his continued presence therein. In short, the condition of the promise is obedience. The Lord speaks of this obedience in terms of keeping His statutes and commandments. A standard is also set before Jeroboam, and that is the obedience of David, Solomon’s father.
Having stated the conditions, the Lord continues to the promise. Jeroboam is promised that God will be with him and build him a sure house
as David received. Notice, first of all, that the activity is going to be done by God: I will build.
When we enquire what is meant by a ”sure house,” the answer is a dynasty that is enduring. Indeed, that is the manner in which some versions translate the phrase, namely, an enduring house.
This is a far cry from what actually happened in the northern kingdom, which exhibited frequent changes of ruling families. This is a failure that reflects the disobedience of Jeroboam and those who followed him, rather than any unfaithfulness on God’s part.
38 And if you will listen to all that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, I will be with you and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you.