Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Shemaiah was the chief prophet in Judah during the reign of Rehoboam, as Ahijah was in Israel. See the marginal references.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God,.... A prophet in those days, see 2 Chronicles 12:15 and the word that came to him, as in the Targum, is called the word of prophecy:

saying; as follows.

Geneva Study Bible

(i) That is, the Prophet.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

1 Kings 12:22 But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

Ver. 22. But the word of God came.] God is said to have come to Balaam, to Laban, and to other profane wretches; but his "word" came only to "his holy prophets, which have been since the world began."

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible

1 Kings 12:22. Shemaiah the man of God— This prophet was very well known in the reign of Rehoboam. He is supposed to have written the annals of that prince; and of what authority he was in Judah we may gather from this passage, where he is said to have prevailed with the king and a hundred and fourscore thousand men, to lay down their arms and return home, merely by declaring that the division which had happened was by the order and appointment of God. Calmet.

Note; 1. They who know the great sin of rebellion, will suffer much, rather than rise to vindicate themselves, by so dangerous a measure. 2. When God's will contradicts our designs, we must patiently submit. 3. Love to our brethren should make us put up with many injuries, rather than seek a redress which may be ruinous to both. 4. If we fight against God, there can be no hope of success; it is wise therefore betimes to leave off meddling.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

The man of God, i.e. the prophet, so called, partly to distinguish him from others of that name; see Nehemiah 6:10 Jeremiah 29:31; and partly to add the more weight to his words.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

22.Shemaiah — With this man of God we here meet for the first time, and though our knowledge of him is limited to a few scattered notices, we see in them how vast a moral power the prophets of this age wielded over the king and the nation. They and the converts of their ministry were the salt that preserved the nation through many a long year of idolatrous rebellion. Shemaiah seems to have been, during Rehoboam’s reign, pre-eminently the prophet of Judah. His word on this occasion, though doubtless much against the royal will, awed the king into submission. Again, in the time of Shishak’s invasion, he appeared, and his ministry was instrumental in averting the possible consequences of that invasion — the destruction of Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 12:5-7. He also composed a history of Rehoboam’s reign. 1 Kings 12:15.

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Shemaiah. Compare 2 Chronicles 11:2; 2 Chronicles 12:5.

the man of God = prophet. See the first occurrence, Deuteronomy 33:1, and App-49.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(22) Shemaiah the man of God.—From the notices in 2 Chronicles 12:5-8; 2 Chronicles 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.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Shemaiah

2 Chronicles 11:2; 12:5,7

the man

13:1,4,5,11; 17:18,24; Deuteronomy 33:1; 2 Kings 4:16,22,25,27; 1 Timothy 6:11