1 Kings 12:23

23 "Say to Rehobo'am the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people,

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 Rehobo'am came to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, and the tribe of Benjamin, a hundred and eighty thousand chosen warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to restore the kingdom to Rehobo'am the son of Solomon.

22 But the word of God came to Shemai'ah the man of God:

23 "Say to Rehobo'am the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people,

24 'Thus says the LORD, You shall not go up or fight against your kinsmen the people of Israel. Return every man to his home, for this thing is from me.'" So they hearkened to the word of the LORD, and went home again, according to the word of the LORD.

25 Then Jerobo'am built Shechem in the hill country of E'phraim, and dwelt there; and he went out from there and built Penu'el.