1 Kings 12:22-24

The word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God The prophet so called, partly to distinguish him from others of that name, (see Nehemiah 6:10; Jeremiah 29:31,) and partly to add more weight to his words. It appears this prophet was very well known in the reign of Rehoboam, whose annals he is supposed to have written. Of what authority he was in Judah, we may learn from this passage, in which he is represented as prevailing with the king, and a hundred and fourscore thousand men, to lay down their arms, and return home, instead of proceeding to make war on their brethren as they had intended, merely by declaring that the division which had happened was by the order and appointment of God. Calmet. This thing is from me This event is from my counsel and providence, to punish Solomon's apostacy. They hearkened therefore to the word of the Lord Either from a conscientious regard to their duty, or because they durst not oppose so potent an adversary.