1 Kings 12:21-24

1 Kings 12:21-24

[21] And when Rehoboam  was come  to Jerusalem,  he assembled  all the house  of Judah,  with the tribe  of Benjamin,  an hundred  and fourscore  thousand  which were warriors,  to fight  against the house  of Israel,  the kingdom  again  to Rehoboam  the son  of Solomon.  [22] But the word  of God  came unto Shemaiah  the man  of God,  saying,  [23] Speak  unto Rehoboam,  the son  of Solomon,  king  of Judah,  and unto all the house  of Judah  and Benjamin,  and to the remnant  of the people,  saying,  [24] Thus saith  Ye shall not go up,  nor fight  against your brethren  the children  of Israel:  return  every man  to his house;  for this thing  is  from me. They hearkened  therefore to the word  and returned  according to the word 

What does 1 Kings 12:21-24 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Rehoboam"s pride led him into further trouble. He wanted to start a civil war to recapture the throne. Benjamin joined with Judah at this time and remained allied from then on (cf. 2 Samuel 19:16-17). God had to intervene through a prophet to get Rehoboam to turn back ( 1 Kings 12:22-24). The term "man of God" is synonymous with prophet (cf. 1 Kings 13:18; 2 Kings 5:8; 2 Chronicles 12:5). [1] To his credit Rehoboam obeyed God.
"Shemaiah"s message goes against the perceived national interest, opposes a popular cause, and stifles the impulse to avenge wounded pride. But Shemaiah was a man of God before he was a man of Judah. His loyalty to God transcended that to king and country. His identity came from his relationship to God, not from society. He served God rather than the state. In short, he was a prophet." [2]
"Rehoboam is harsh, despotic, and autocratic, but the worst part is that he is also stupid and incompetent." [3]
There were several reasons for the division of the kingdom. The primary one was Solomon"s apostasy. However, tribal jealousy, sectionalism, and Solomon"s exploitation of the people were contributing causes. [4]