Shemaiah שְׁמַעְיָ֫הוּ
Prophet during the reign of Rehoboam
Who is Shemaiah in the Bible?
Shemaiah was a prophet during the reign of King Rehoboam of Judah, active after the kingdom's division into Israel and Judah around 930 BC. When Rehoboam prepared to wage war against the northern kingdom of Israel to reclaim it, God sent Shemaiah to command him not to fight, explaining that the split was ordained by God (1 Kings 12:22-24, 2 Chronicles 11:2-4). Later, when the Egyptian king Shishak invaded Jerusalem, Shemaiah again delivered God's word, warning that Judah's abandonment of the Lord had resulted in their defeat, though he also brought a message of partial deliverance when the leaders repented (2 Chronicles 12:5-7). Shemaiah's role demonstrates the prophet's responsibility to call kings to obedience and submission to God's will, even when that will contradicts human desires for power and restoration.
Biography
Shemaiah was a prophet who lived during the reign of King Rehoboam of Judah. After the kingdom was divided and Jeroboam became king of Israel, Rehoboam gathered his army to fight against Israel and reunite the kingdom. However, the word of God came to Shemaiah, telling him to speak to Rehoboam and the people of Judah and Benjamin, saying that they should not fight against their brothers in Israel because the division was from God (1Ki.12.22-24; 2Ch.11.2-4).
Later, when Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem, Shemaiah delivered another message to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah. He told them that because they had forsaken the Lord, He had forsaken them and given them into the hand of Shishak (2Ch.12.5). When Rehoboam and the leaders humbled themselves, Shemaiah brought a message of mercy, saying that God would not destroy them but would grant them some deliverance (2Ch.12.7).
Shemaiah's acts and his words as a prophet were recorded in the chronicles of the kings of Judah (2Ch.12.15).
In Scripture
2 biblical books1 Kings 1 verse
- 1 Kings 12:22
"But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God:"
2 Chronicles 4 verses
- 2 Chronicles 11:2
"But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God:"
- 2 Chronicles 12:5
"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 forsaken Me; therefore, I have forsaken you into the hand of Shishak.’”"
- 2 Chronicles 12:7
"When the LORD saw that they had humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them, but will soon grant them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak."
- 2 Chronicles 12:15
"Now the acts of Rehoboam, from first to last, are they not written in the records of Shemaiah the Prophet and of Iddo the Seer concerning the genealogies? There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam throughout their days."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שְׁמַעְיָ֫הוּ |