Shemaiah is a prophet mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, primarily known for his role during the reign of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and king of Judah. His account is found in the historical books of the Old Testament, specifically in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles.

Historical Context

Shemaiah's prophetic ministry occurred during a tumultuous period in Israel's history, marked by the division of the united monarchy. After Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne. However, due to Rehoboam's harsh policies and refusal to lighten the heavy burdens imposed by his father, the ten northern tribes of Israel rebelled, leading to the establishment of the separate kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam. Rehoboam retained control over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, forming the southern kingdom of Judah.

Role and Prophetic Message

Shemaiah is first introduced in the biblical narrative during the early years of Rehoboam's reign. When Rehoboam gathered an army to fight against the northern tribes and restore his rule over all Israel, Shemaiah delivered a critical message from God. In 1 Kings 12:22-24 , it is recorded:

"But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God: 'Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah, to all Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, "This is what the LORD says: You are not to march up and fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Each of you must return home, for this word is from Me."' So they listened to the word of the LORD and turned back according to the word of the LORD."

Shemaiah's intervention prevented a civil war and demonstrated his role as a mediator of God's will, emphasizing the importance of obedience to divine command over political ambition.

Further Involvement

Shemaiah's influence is noted again in 2 Chronicles 12. After Rehoboam and the people of Judah abandoned the law of the LORD, Shishak, king of Egypt, attacked Jerusalem. In this crisis, Shemaiah delivered another message from God, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 12:5-7 :

"Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he said to them, 'This is what the LORD says: You have abandoned Me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.' So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, 'The LORD is righteous.' When the LORD saw that they had humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah: 'They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.'"

Shemaiah's prophecy led to a partial deliverance for Judah, highlighting the theme of repentance and God's mercy in response to humility and acknowledgment of His righteousness.

Legacy

Shemaiah's role as a prophet underscores the importance of faithfulness to God's word and the power of prophetic guidance in times of national crisis. His messages were pivotal in shaping the course of Judah's history during Rehoboam's reign, serving as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the potential for redemption through repentance. Shemaiah's ministry is a testament to the enduring influence of God's prophets in guiding and correcting His people.1 Kings 12:22
But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 12:7,15
And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Prophets and Prophets. (xxiii. 9-32, xxvii-xxix, Etc. )
... the Lord by himself is as strong as ever, and still more dramatically than in the
case of Shemaiah it appears in his treatment of the prophets within Jerusalem ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 prophets and prophets xxiii.htm

Heathen Plots
... And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying ... The
chief one engaged in this iniquitous work was Shemaiah, a man previously held ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 55 heathen plots.htm

A Look into the Hebrew Bible.
... are made to historical writings of various sorts, composed by prophets and seers,
and ... that some of these histories of Nathan and Gad and Shemaiah held vital ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter i a look into.htm

The Rending of the Kingdom
... that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, They ...
From time to time mighty prophets arose to strengthen the hands of the rulers ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 6 the rending of.htm

Doubtful Fragments on the Pentateuch.
... is, that God delivered it by the hand of our most blessed ruler, the chief of the
prophets, and first ... And Gad the prophet delivered it to Shemaiah the teacher. ...
/.../doubtful fragments on the pentateuch.htm

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... the days of Samuel and onward there was a flourishing school of the prophets at
hand ... 2:Chron.9:29); for the reign of Rehoboam, "the book of Shemaiah the prophet ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm

Protest and Agony. (I, iv. 10, 19, vi. 11, xi. 18-xii. 6, xv. 10 ...
... His scorn for the bulk of the other prophets is scorching, and his words for some
of them fatal. Of Shemaiah, who wrote of the captives in Babylon letters of a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 protest and agony i.htm

"This Thing is from Me"
... Notice, next, what I pointed out to you in our reading, what power was possessed
by God's prophets under the Old Testament. Here is one Shemaiah,"some of you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/this thing is from me.htm

And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
... 1. Rehoboam"Evil " "Shemaiah "And Judah did "Natural ... II Samuel. 5. Visit of the Queen
of Sheba. I Kings 10. 6. Elijah and the Prophets of Baal. I Kings 18. ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/iv and v the kingdom.htm

Chronicles
... 1 Chronicles 29:29), the prophecy of Ahijah, the book of Shemaiah, the book ... Practically
all the prophets to whom books are ascribed in Chronicles are mentioned ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/chronicles.htm

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