1 Kings 12:23

23 to give this message to Rehoboam and to all the people of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin:

1 Kings 12:23 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 12:23

Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon king of Judah
He is called king before, but of what tribe or tribes is not expressly said, only it is implied in ( 1 Kings 12:17 ) and he is only acknowledged king of Judah by the Lord himself:

and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin;
which made but one house, as before but one tribe, ( 1 Kings 11:36 )

and to the remnant of the people;
of the other tribes that might dwell among them at Jerusalem, and especially Simeon, whose inheritance was within the tribe of Judah, ( Joshua 19:1 )

saying:
as follows.

1 Kings 12:23 In-Context

21 When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he called together 180,000 of the best soldiers from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. He intended to go to war and restore his control over the northern tribes of Israel.

22 But God told the prophet Shemaiah

23 to give this message to Rehoboam and to all the people of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin:

24 "Do not attack your own relatives, the people of Israel. Go home, all of you. What has happened is my will." They all obeyed the Lord's command and went back home.

25 King Jeroboam of Israel fortified the town of Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there for a while. Then he left and fortified the town of Penuel.