2 Chronicles 11:2

KJV

But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

But the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came to Shemaiah {H8098} the man {H376} of God {H430}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

But this word of ADONAI came to Sh'ma'yah the man of God:

Berean Standard Bible

But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God:

American Standard Version

But the word of Jehovah came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 11:2 marks a crucial turning point in the tumultuous aftermath of the Israelite kingdom's division. Following the northern tribes' secession and King Rehoboam's decision to reclaim them by force, this verse introduces a direct, authoritative divine intervention. It reveals the Lord's active sovereignty over human affairs, even political and military conflicts, as He sends His prophet Shemaiah to deliver a specific command that prevents a devastating civil war and ensures the fulfillment of His preordained plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic schism of the united monarchy, where ten northern tribes rebelled against Rehoboam's oppressive policies and crowned Jeroboam as their king (see [2 Chronicles 10](/2_chronicles/10 "2 Chronicles 10 - The Division of the Kingdom")). Rehoboam's initial response, detailed in [2 Chronicles 11:1](/2_chronicles/11-1 "2 Chronicles 11:1 - Rehoboam Gathers an Army"), was to gather a massive army of 180,000 chosen warriors from Judah and Benjamin, intending to wage war to restore his dominion over the seceded tribes. [2 Chronicles 11:2](/2_chronicles/11-2 "2 Chronicles 11:2 - The Lord's Word to Shemaiah") serves as a divine interruption, a "but" that pivots the narrative from human aggression to divine decree. This account parallels [1 Kings 12:22-24](/1_kings/12-22 "1 Kings 12:22-24 - God's Command to Rehoboam"), reinforcing the significance and divine origin of the message. The subsequent verses in [2 Chronicles 11](/2_chronicles/11 "2 Chronicles 11 - Rehoboam's Reign and Fortifications") show Rehoboam's obedience and the subsequent strengthening of his kingdom in Judah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The division of the kingdom was a monumental event, ending a period of unified rule under Saul, David, and Solomon. This era was fraught with political instability and the constant threat of internal strife. In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, kings often sought to consolidate power through military might. However, Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh meant that divine will often superseded royal ambition. Prophets, like Shemaiah, served as God's direct spokespersons, often challenging or guiding kings, reminding them of their accountability to the divine King. The title "man of God" (Hebrew: _ish ha'Elohim_) was a highly respected designation for a prophet, signifying a special relationship with God and an undeniable authority in delivering divine messages, placing such individuals above even the king in matters of divine revelation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several major themes. First, **Divine Sovereignty** is paramount; even amidst human folly and political upheaval, God remains in ultimate control, actively directing events to fulfill His purposes. The division of the kingdom itself was God's judgment against Solomon's idolatry and Rehoboam's pride, as stated in [1 Kings 11:11-13](/1_kings/11-11 "1 Kings 11:11-13 - God's Judgment on Solomon") and [2 Chronicles 10:15](/2_chronicles/10-15 "2 Chronicles 10:15 - The Lord's Hand in the Division"). Second, **Prophetic Authority** is highlighted through Shemaiah, "the man of God," whose message is not counsel but an unchallengeable divine word. This demonstrates God's chosen method of communicating His will to His people and their leaders. Third, the theme of **Obedience to God's Word** is implicitly introduced, setting the stage for Rehoboam's response in the subsequent verses, where he and the people ultimately heed the divine command, choosing God's will over their own military ambitions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _dāḇār_):** This term, often translated as "word," carries significant weight in Hebrew thought, encompassing not just spoken utterances but also actions, events, and decrees. When associated with "the LORD" (YHWH), it denotes an authoritative, effective, and often performative communication from God. It is not mere advice or suggestion but a binding declaration that carries the power to accomplish what it states, reflecting God's absolute truth and unwavering purpose.
* **Man of God (Hebrew, _’îš hā’ĕlōhîm_):** This is a highly significant title for a prophet in the Old Testament, denoting someone specially chosen, empowered, and set apart by God to be His messenger. It signifies a unique relationship with the divine, implying that the individual's words are not their own but a direct, unadulterated transmission of God's will. Prophets bearing this title, such as Elijah and Elisha, often performed miracles and delivered crucial messages that altered the course of national events, underscoring the gravity and authority of Shemaiah's appearance here.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But":** This conjunction signals a sharp contrast or interruption to the preceding narrative. Rehoboam had gathered his vast army, fully intent on war, but this "but" introduces a new, higher authority that will redirect his plans. It immediately creates a sense of divine intervention overriding human intention.
* **"the word of the LORD came":** This phrase emphasizes the divine origin and initiative of the message. It is not a human idea or counsel, but a direct, authoritative revelation from Yahweh Himself. The verb "came" (Hebrew: _hayah_) often implies a forceful, undeniable arrival, underscoring the inescapable nature of God's communication.
* **"to Shemaiah":** God chooses a specific individual, Shemaiah, as His conduit. This highlights the personal nature of God's communication and His use of human agents to convey His will, even to kings. Shemaiah is not seeking out God, but God is actively seeking him out to deliver this critical message.
* **"the man of God":** This title immediately establishes Shemaiah's credentials and the undeniable authority of the message he is about to deliver. It signifies his divine appointment and the fact that his words are not merely his own opinion but carry the full weight of God's command.
* **"saying,":** This concluding word indicates that the verse is an introduction to a direct divine message that follows. It sets the expectation for the specific content of God's command, which will be revealed in the subsequent verses.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Divine Intervention** as its core literary device, directly introducing God's active involvement into a human-driven conflict. The opening conjunction "**But**" serves as a powerful **Contrast**, immediately setting the stage for a divine counter-action against Rehoboam's military ambition. The phrase "the word of the LORD came" is a form of **Divine Communication**, a recurring motif throughout biblical narrative that establishes God's direct engagement with humanity. Furthermore, the designation "Shemaiah the **man of God**" functions as **Characterization**, instantly conferring authority and legitimacy upon the messenger, ensuring that his subsequent words are understood as divinely authoritative and not merely human counsel. This concise introduction effectively shifts the narrative's focus from human will to divine decree.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 11:2 profoundly illustrates God's active and sovereign involvement in human history, even in the midst of political turmoil and national division. It underscores the truth that God's plans ultimately prevail over human intentions, demonstrating His ability to direct the course of nations and individuals. The immediate obedience of Rehoboam and the people to God's word, despite their military preparations, serves as a powerful example of the necessity and wisdom of submitting to divine authority. This passage reinforces the consistent biblical theme that true wisdom lies in heeding the Lord's voice, even when it contradicts our immediate desires or perceived strategic advantages.

* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes His Purpose")
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The Lord Frustrates the Plans of Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers a profound lesson on the nature of divine guidance and human responsiveness. Like Rehoboam, we often devise plans based on our own strength, wisdom, or anger, only to find that God has a different, often counter-intuitive, path for us. The sudden interruption of "the word of the LORD" reminds us that God is not a distant observer but an active participant in our lives, capable of redirecting our course for our ultimate good and His glory. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of humility and attentiveness, recognizing that God speaks through various means—His written Word, prayer, wise counsel, and sometimes, through unexpected circumstances—to prevent us from making choices that would lead to greater harm or deviate from His perfect will. Our spiritual maturity is often measured by our willingness to lay down our own agendas and submit to the Lord's clear directives, trusting that His ways are always higher and more beneficial than our own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I currently making plans or pursuing a course of action that might be contrary to God's revealed will or character?**
* **How open am I to divine interruption, especially when God's voice challenges my deeply held desires or perceived "rights"?**
* **What are the practical ways I can cultivate a greater attentiveness to "the word of the LORD" in my daily life, whether through Scripture, prayer, or the counsel of godly individuals?**
* **What "civil wars" (internal conflicts, relational strife, misguided ambitions) might God be seeking to prevent in my life by calling me to obedience?**

### FAQ
**Why did God intervene to stop Rehoboam's war against the northern tribes?**

Answer: God intervened to stop Rehoboam's war because the division of the kingdom was not a mere political uprising but a divinely orchestrated judgment and fulfillment of prophecy. As stated in [1 Kings 11:11-13](/1_kings/11-11 "1 Kings 11:11-13 - God's Judgment on Solomon") and reiterated in [2 Chronicles 10:15](/2_chronicles/10-15 "2 Chronicles 10:15 - The Lord's Hand in the Division"), the Lord had determined to tear the kingdom from Solomon's house due to his idolatry, leaving only one tribe for Rehoboam's sake (Judah, with Benjamin later joining). Rehoboam's harsh response to the people's plea for lighter burdens (see [2 Chronicles 10:1-14](/2_chronicles/10-1 "2 Chronicles 10:1-14 - Rehoboam's Folly")) was the immediate catalyst, but it served God's larger purpose. A civil war would have further devastated His people and directly opposed His sovereign will to establish two separate kingdoms. By sending Shemaiah, God prevented bloodshed and ensured that His prophetic word was accomplished, demonstrating His ultimate control over the affairs of nations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Chronicles 11:2, with its emphasis on "the word of the LORD" coming through "the man of God" to prevent a destructive conflict, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate Divine Word and the ultimate Man of God, Jesus Christ. While Shemaiah delivered a specific word for a specific time, Jesus is the living [Word of God made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the complete and final revelation of God's will (see [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - In the Beginning Was the Word") and [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken by His Son")). He is the true Prophet, greater than all who came before Him, whom God promised to raise up (compare [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - A Prophet Like Moses") with [Acts 3:22](/acts/3-22 "Acts 3:22 - Peter's Sermon on the Prophet")). Just as God intervened to prevent Rehoboam's destructive war, Christ came not to bring a sword of earthly conquest, but a sword of truth that divides between light and darkness, ultimately bringing peace and reconciliation through His atoning sacrifice (see [Matthew 10:34](/matthew/10-34 "Matthew 10:34 - Not Peace, but a Sword") and [Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciling All Things Through Christ")). His kingdom is not of this world, established by military might, but by divine authority and spiritual transformation (as He declared in [John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is Not of This World")). Through Christ, God's ultimate word of salvation and reconciliation is delivered, preventing humanity's self-destructive path and inviting us into His eternal, peaceful reign.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 12:15

Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, [are] they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And [there were] wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.

2 Chronicles 8:14

And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.

Deuteronomy 33:1

¶ And this [is] the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.

1 Timothy 6:11

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

1 Kings 12:22

But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

1 Kings 12:24

Thus saith the LORD, 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 of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.

1 Samuel 2:27

¶ And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?