But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
The word of the Lord came through Shemaiah to Rehoboam and to the people of Judah and Benjamin. He was sent with a divine command forbidding them to go up in battle against the northern tribes and forbidding any attempt to restore the divided kingdom by force. The rending of the kingdom was God's own doing, and for that reason they were charged to abandon the campaign and return to their homes. Rehoboam and the people heeded the warning and obeyed the message.
The word of the Lord came through Shemaiah to Rehoboam and to the people of Judah and Benjamin. He was sent with a divine command forbidding them to go up in battle against the northern tribes and forbidding any attempt to restore the divided kingdom by force. The rending of the kingdom was God's own doing, and for that reason they were charged to abandon the campaign and return to their homes. Rehoboam and the people heeded the warning and obeyed the message.