1 Kings 12:22
New International Version
But this word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God:

New Living Translation
But God said to Shemaiah, the man of God,

English Standard Version
But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God:

Berean Standard Bible
But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God:

King James Bible
But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

New King James Version
But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

New American Standard Bible
But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

NASB 1995
But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

NASB 1977
But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

Legacy Standard Bible
But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

Amplified Bible
But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

Christian Standard Bible
But the word of God came to Shemaiah, the man of God:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But a revelation from God came to Shemaiah, the man of God: “

American Standard Version
But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

Contemporary English Version
Meanwhile, God told Shemaiah the prophet

English Revised Version
But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But God spoke his word to Shemaiah, the man of God. He said,

Good News Translation
But God told the prophet Shemaiah

International Standard Version
But a message from God came to Shemaiah, a man of God:

Majority Standard Bible
But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God:

NET Bible
But God told Shemaiah the prophet,

New Heart English Bible
But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

Webster's Bible Translation
But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

World English Bible
But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the word of God is to Shemaiah a man of God, saying,

Young's Literal Translation
And the word of God is unto Shemaiah a man of God, saying,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the word of God will be to Shemaiah, a man of God, saying,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the word of the Lord came to Semeias the man of God, saying:

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, the man of God, saying:

New American Bible
However, the word of God came to Shemaiah, a man of God:

New Revised Standard Version
But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the prophet of God, saying,But have come back and have eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which the LORD said to you, You shall not eat bread, nor drink water; therefore your corpse shall not come into the sepulchre of your fathers.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the word of LORD JEHOVAH was upon Shemaia, and he said to him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the word of the Lord came to Samaia the man of God, saying,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Shemaiah's Prophecy
21And when Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mobilized the whole house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin—180,000 chosen warriors—to fight against the house of Israel and restore the kingdom to Rehoboam son of Solomon. 22But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God: 23“Tell Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah, all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and the rest of the people…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 11:2-4
But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God: / “Tell Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah and all the Israelites in Judah and Benjamin / that this is what the LORD says: ‘You are not to go up and fight against your brothers. Each of you must return home, for this is My doing.’” So they listened to the words of the LORD and turned back from going against Jeroboam.

1 Kings 13:1-3
Suddenly, as Jeroboam was standing beside the altar to burn incense, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD. / And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’” / That day the man of God gave a sign, saying, “The LORD has spoken this sign: ‘Surely the altar will be split apart, and the ashes upon it will be poured out.’”

1 Samuel 15:22-23
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. / For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”

2 Samuel 7:4-5
But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, / “Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build for Me a house to dwell in?

Jeremiah 1:4-10
The word of the LORD came to me, saying: / “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” / “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” ...

Isaiah 7:3-9
Then the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out with your son Shear-jashub to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct that feeds the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field, / and say to him: Calm down and be quiet. Do not be afraid or disheartened over these two smoldering stubs of firewood—over the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. / For Aram, along with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has plotted your ruin, saying: ...

Amos 7:14-15
“I was not a prophet,” Amos replied, “nor was I the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees. / But the LORD took me from following the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’

Acts 13:1-3
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. / While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 15:28-29
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements: / You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

Matthew 10:19-20
But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. / For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Luke 12:11-12
When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say. / For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.”

John 16:13
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

Acts 8:29
The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.”

Acts 10:19-20
As Peter continued to reflect on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. / So get up! Go downstairs and accompany them without hesitation, because I have sent them.”

Acts 11:12
The Spirit told me to accompany them without hesitation. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s home.


Treasury of Scripture

But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

Shemaiah

2 Chronicles 11:2
But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

2 Chronicles 12:5,7
Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak…

the man

1 Kings 13:1,4,5,11
And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense…

1 Kings 17:18,24
And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? …

Deuteronomy 33:1
And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.

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Shemaiah Shemai'ah Word
1 Kings 12
1. The Israelites, assembled at Shechem to crown Rehoboam,
4. by Jeroboam make a suit of relaxation unto him
6. Rehoboam, refusing the old men's counsel, answers them roughly
16. Ten tribes revolting, kill Adoram, and make Rehoboam flee
21. Rehoboam, raising an army, is forbidden by Shemaiah
25. Jeroboam strengthens himself by cities
26. and by idolatry of the two calves














But the word of God
This phrase indicates divine communication, a common occurrence in the Old Testament where God speaks directly to His prophets. The "word of God" often signifies a message of guidance, correction, or prophecy. In the context of 1 Kings 12, it underscores the authority and divine origin of the message that follows. This phrase is reminiscent of other instances where God’s word comes to His prophets, such as in Jeremiah 1:4 and Ezekiel 1:3, emphasizing the continuity of God’s communication with His chosen messengers.

came to Shemaiah
Shemaiah is identified as a prophet, though not much is known about him outside of this context. His role here is crucial as he delivers a pivotal message from God. The name Shemaiah means "heard by God," which is fitting for a prophet who receives and conveys God's word. This highlights the importance of prophets in Israel as intermediaries between God and His people, similar to figures like Nathan and Gad in the time of David.

the man of God
This title is often used in the Old Testament to describe prophets and other individuals who are dedicated to God's service, such as Moses (Deuteronomy 33:1) and Elijah (1 Kings 17:18). It signifies a person who is not only a messenger but also lives in accordance with God's will. The use of this title for Shemaiah underscores his authority and the authenticity of the message he delivers. It also reflects the respect and reverence given to those who faithfully serve God, setting them apart as His representatives on earth.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Shemaiah
A prophet referred to as "the man of God." He plays a crucial role in delivering God's message to Rehoboam, the king of Judah. His name means "heard by God" in Hebrew, indicating his role as a divine messenger.

2. Rehoboam
The son of Solomon and king of Judah. His reign is marked by the division of the united kingdom of Israel into two separate kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south.

3. The Word of God
Represents the divine message or command that is delivered through the prophet Shemaiah. It signifies God's direct intervention and guidance in the affairs of His people.

4. Judah
The southern kingdom, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, over which Rehoboam ruled after the division of the united kingdom.

5. The Division of the Kingdom
A significant event in Israel's history where the united kingdom under Solomon was divided into two: the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. This division was a result of Rehoboam's harsh policies and the people's rebellion.
Teaching Points
The Role of Prophets
Prophets are God's messengers, chosen to deliver His word to His people. They remind us of the importance of listening to God's guidance in our lives.

God's Sovereignty
The division of the kingdom, though a result of human actions, was ultimately under God's control. This teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty even in times of turmoil.

Obedience to God's Word
Rehoboam's response to Shemaiah's message highlights the importance of obedience to God's word, even when it contradicts our own plans.

Consequences of Leadership Decisions
Rehoboam's harsh policies led to the division of the kingdom, illustrating the impact of leadership decisions on a community or nation.

Seeking God's Guidance
In times of decision-making, seeking God's guidance through prayer and His word is crucial for making wise choices.(22) Shemaiah the man of God.--From the notices in 2Chronicles 12:5-8; 2Chronicles 12:15, it would seem that, while Ahijah belonged to Shiloh in Ephraim, and continued to dwell there, Shemaiah was rather attached to Judah, and hence, that his interference to protect the new kingdom was the more striking and unexpected. In this interposition, to which probably the very preservation of Jeroboam's half-formed kingdom was due, there is a fresh indication of the great opportunity given to that kingdom to maintain itself, under the blessing of God and in devotion to His service. The phrase "your brethren, the children of Israel," marks this with much emphasis.

Verse 22. - But the word of God came unto Shemaiah [This part of the history is probably derived from the "book" which this prophet wrote (2 Chronicles 12:15). When Keil describes him as "a prophet who is not mentioned again," he has surely overlooked 2 Chronicles 12:7, 8, where we find him prophesying with reference to the army of Shishak], the man of God [a common expression in the books of Kings. It rarely occurs in the other Scriptures. This designation is not altogether synonymous with "prophet." It is used, for example, of angels (Judges 13:6, 8), of Moses (Deuteronomy 33:1), and of David (2 Chronicles 8:14), and would embrace any minister or servant of God, while נָבִיא is restricted to the teaching order. There were false prophets, but no false men of God. It is also worth considering whether the name of prophet may not have been practically restricted to, or bestowed by preference on, those who had received a prophetic training, the "sons of the prophets" who had been taught in the schools. Cf. 1 Samuel 10:5-12; 1 Samuel 19:20; Amos 7:14], saying.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But the word
דְּבַ֣ר (də·ḇar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of God
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

came
וַיְהִי֙ (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Shemaiah
שְׁמַעְיָ֥ה (šə·ma‘·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8098: Shemaiah -- 'Yah hears', the name of a number of Israelites

the man
אִישׁ־ (’îš-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of God:
הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT History: 1 Kings 12:22 But the word of God came (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
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