1 Kings 12 22

1 Kings 12:22 kjv

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

1 Kings 12:22 nkjv

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

1 Kings 12:22 niv

But this word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God:

1 Kings 12:22 esv

But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God:

1 Kings 12:22 nlt

But God said to Shemaiah, the man of God,

1 Kings 12 verses

1 Kings 12 22 Meaning

1 Kings 12:22 states the immediate and direct communication from God to His prophet, Shemaiah, at a critical moment when King Rehoboam was preparing to launch a civil war against the recently separated northern tribes of Israel. This verse signifies God's sovereign intervention to prevent fratricide among His people and demonstrates His control over human political affairs, even those seemingly born of human rebellion. It marks the commencement of God's authoritative message, delivered through His chosen messenger, overriding the king's intentions and military preparations.

1 Kings 12 22 Context

1 Kings chapter 12 details the tragic split of the United Monarchy of Israel. After the death of King Solomon, his son Rehoboam went to Shechem to be crowned. When the people requested a lighter burden than Solomon had imposed, Rehoboam, ignoring the wise counsel of the older advisors, adopted the harsh advice of his younger peers, vowing to intensify the yoke. This arrogant response led the ten northern tribes to rebel, proclaiming "What portion have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse!" (1 Kgs 12:16). They then made Jeroboam, who had been promised ten tribes by the prophet Ahijah (1 Kgs 11:29-39), their king. Rehoboam fled to Jerusalem and subsequently assembled an army of 180,000 chosen warriors from Judah and Benjamin (1 Kgs 12:21) with the intent to forcefully reclaim his kingdom. Verse 22 acts as the pivotal divine interjection, revealing God's overarching purpose in these events, as His word interrupts Rehoboam's military preparations, directly addressing Shemaiah the man of God, before he can lead the people into fratricidal war. The broader context highlights God's sovereignty over kings, nations, and human plans.

1 Kings 12 22 Word analysis

• "But": This conjunctive adverb signals a sharp contrast or redirection from the preceding narrative. It introduces a divine intervention that overrides human intentions, specifically Rehoboam's plan to wage war against Israel. It marks a shift from human strategic and political decisions to God's active involvement.
• "the word of God" (Hebrew: d'var ha'Elohim, דְּבַר הָאֱלֹהִים):
  • davar (דְּבַר): Refers to a "word," "utterance," "message," "decree," or even a "matter" or "thing." Here, it signifies a specific, direct, and authoritative communication from God, not a mere thought or suggestion. It implies something that will be acted upon and has definitive consequence.
  • Elohim (הָאֱלֹהִים): The most common Hebrew name for God, emphasizing His power, majesty, and universal sovereignty. "The God" specifies the one true God, setting Him apart from any other deities or powers. The phrase together stresses the divine origin, ultimate authority, and infallible nature of the message. It highlights that this communication is paramount, coming from the Creator and Sovereign of all.
• "came": This verb indicates a direct and intentional transmission. It suggests an active movement from God to the prophet, not merely a prophet pondering or deducing. It points to a revelatory act, emphasizing that God initiated the communication, making the prophet a recipient rather than a generator of the message.
• "to Shemaiah" (Hebrew: Shema'yah, שְׁמַעְיָה): The prophet's name means "Heard by Yah" or "Yahweh has heard," a fitting name for one who receives and heeds divine messages. Shemaiah is established here as God's specific and chosen instrument for delivering this critical word to Rehoboam. His identity underscores that God uses particular individuals to communicate His will at precise moments in history.
• "the man of God" (Hebrew: 'ish ha'Elohim, אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים): This is a significant title bestowed upon individuals who served as divine messengers or prophets in ancient Israel. It denotes someone who stands in a unique, intimate relationship with God, who speaks on God's behalf, and who is often endowed with special power or authority from God. Examples include Moses, Elijah, and Elisha. The title lends tremendous weight and credibility to Shemaiah's message, establishing him as a legitimate and authorized spokesperson for the Almighty, whose word must be heeded above all else. It is a divine attestation of his prophetic office and spiritual authority.
• "saying": This introductory word directly precedes the content of God's message (in verses 23-24). It indicates that the 'word of God' was a direct spoken oracle or commandment, clearly articulated and intended for immediate action, reinforcing its imperative nature.

1 Kings 12 22 Bonus section

• The timing of God's intervention is highly significant, occurring precisely when Rehoboam's large army was mobilized, on the verge of launching a fratricidal war. This precision demonstrates God's perfect timing and His desire to prevent unnecessary bloodshed among His covenant people.
• This verse provides an example of God using human instruments (a prophet, Shemaiah) to fulfill His divine purposes, demonstrating that His plans are not dependent on human strength or political maneuvers but are achieved through His direct guidance and chosen messengers.
• The intervention here highlights God's capacity to overrule human will for His higher purposes. Rehoboam had the military might and intention, but God's word completely changed the course of events. This affirms God's providential rule over history.

1 Kings 12 22 Commentary

1 Kings 12:22 is a critical hinge point, underscoring God's ultimate sovereignty even amidst human political upheaval and military ambitions. Immediately following Rehoboam's assembly of a massive army to reclaim his lost kingdom, this verse presents a sudden and decisive divine intervention. The declaration "the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God" immediately establishes the absolute authority of the impending message, superior to any human king's decree or military strategy. The use of the specific title "man of God" for Shemaiah is crucial, signifying his divinely appointed status as a direct messenger of the Lord, carrying an unquestionable divine mandate. This was not mere advice or a suggestion, but a command that superseded all other counsel and intent. God's direct intervention, as confirmed by this verse, illustrates His consistent engagement in the affairs of His people, guiding outcomes even when human actions are fueled by pride or ambition, aligning them with His pre-ordained will as prophesied (1 Kgs 11:29-39). The promptness of the revelation highlights God's active governance and desire to prevent bloodshed among His chosen nation.