And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: (1 Kings 11:31)
The united monarchy was to be torn in pieces, and ten of its tribes were to give their allegiance to a new lord not from the house of David. The lesson was taught that “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will” (Dan. 4:17).