that this is what the LORD says: 'You are not to go up and fight against your brothers. Each of you must return home, for this word is from Me.'" So they listened to the words of the LORD and turned back from going against Jeroboam. that this is what the LORD says:Shemaiah delivered God’s authoritative command to Rehoboam, the leaders of Judah, and the assembled army. The threatened civil war was not to be decided by royal ambition or military strength. 2Ch 20:15 And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem!… ‘You are not to go up and fight against your brothers. Rehoboam had gathered 180,000 chosen warriors from Judah and Benjamin to force the northern tribes back under his rule. God identified the tribes of Israel as brothers, forbidding bloodshed among the descendants of Jacob. Gen 13:8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no contention… Each of you must return home, The army was commanded to abandon its campaign and disperse. Obedience required Rehoboam to relinquish his immediate plan for restoring the united kingdom by force. 1Ki 12:16 When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen… for this is My doing.’” The division of the kingdom fulfilled God’s judgment announced against Solomon’s unfaithfulness and idolatry (1 Kings 11:9–13, 29–39). God’s sovereign purpose did not excuse Jeroboam’s later sin or Rehoboam’s folly, but it established that the kingdom’s rupture lay under His rule. Amo 3:6 If a ram’s horn sounds in a city, do the people not tremble?… So they listened to the words of the LORD Rehoboam and his forces submitted to God’s command through Shemaiah. Their obedience prevented a war that would have brought devastating loss to both kingdoms. Deu 5:27 Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says.… and turned back from going against Jeroboam. Judah and Benjamin withdrew rather than attack the northern tribes. Rehoboam accepted, at least in this matter, that Jeroboam’s rule over Israel had been permitted by God. 1Ki 12:24 this is what the LORD says: ‘You are not to go up and fight… Persons / Places / Events 1. RehoboamThe son of Solomon and king of Judah, who initially sought to wage war against the northern tribes of Israel after the kingdom split. 2. Jeroboam The first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, who led the ten tribes in rebellion against Rehoboam's rule. 3. Shemaiah A man of God who delivered the LORD's message to Rehoboam and the people of Judah, instructing them not to fight against their brothers. 4. Judah and Benjamin The two tribes that remained loyal to Rehoboam and formed the southern kingdom of Judah. 5. The LORD The God of Israel, who intervened to prevent civil war among His people by commanding Rehoboam and his followers to stand down. Teaching Points Obedience to God's WordRehoboam's decision to listen to God's command through Shemaiah demonstrates the importance of obedience, even when it contradicts our initial plans or desires. God's Sovereignty The passage underscores God's control over the affairs of nations and individuals. His intervention prevented a potentially devastating civil war. Unity Among Believers The instruction not to fight against "your brothers" highlights the value God places on unity and peace among His people. Listening to Godly Counsel Rehoboam's willingness to heed the message from Shemaiah shows the importance of listening to godly counsel and being open to divine guidance. Trust in God's Plan The phrase "for this is My doing" reminds us to trust in God's overarching plan, even when circumstances seem challenging or confusing. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Rehoboam's response to God's command through Shemaiah challenge us to respond to divine guidance in our own lives?2. In what ways can we apply the principle of avoiding conflict with our "brothers" in our personal relationships and church communities? 3. How does this passage illustrate the concept of God's sovereignty, and how can this understanding impact our daily decision-making? 4. What role does godly counsel play in your life, and how can you ensure you are open to receiving it? 5. How can we cultivate a heart of obedience to God's Word, especially when it requires us to change our plans or desires? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 12Provides a parallel account of the division of the kingdom and the events leading up to Rehoboam's decision to heed God's command. Matthew 5:9 Jesus' teaching on peacemakers can be connected to the decision to avoid conflict as instructed by God. Romans 12:18 Encourages believers to live at peace with everyone, echoing the divine directive to avoid unnecessary conflict. Proverbs 16:9 Highlights how human plans are subject to God's sovereign direction, as seen in Rehoboam's change of course.
People Abigail, Abihail, Abijah, Absalom, Attai, Benjamin, David, Eliab, Israelites, Jerimoth, Jeroboam, Jesse, Jeush, Levites, Maacah, Maachah, Mahalath, Rehoboam, Shamariah, Shelomith, Shemaiah, Shemariah, Solomon, Zaham, Ziza, ZurPlaces Adoraim, Adullam, Aijalon, Azekah, Bethlehem, Beth-zur, Etam, Gath, Hebron, Jerusalem, Lachish, Mareshah, Soco, Tekoa, Ziph, ZorahTopics Brethren, Brothers, Ear, Fight, Fighting, Hearkened, Home, Jeroboam, Jerobo'am, Listened, Marching, Obeyed, Purpose, Relatives, Return, Returned, Says, Thus, Turn, WarDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 11:1-12Library The Exile Continued. "So David fled, and escaped and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done unto him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth" (1 Sam. xix. 18)--or, as the word probably means, in the collection of students' dwellings, inhabited by the sons of the prophets, where possibly there may have been some kind of right of sanctuary. Driven thence by Saul's following him, and having had one last sorrowful hour of Jonathan's companionship--the last but one on earth--he fled to Nob, whither … Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C. Chronicles Links 2 Chronicles 11:4 NIV2 Chronicles 11:4 NLT 2 Chronicles 11:4 ESV 2 Chronicles 11:4 NASB 2 Chronicles 11:4 KJV 2 Chronicles 11:4 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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