Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Kings 12:22

"But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying," — 1 Kings 12:22 (ASV)

Shemaiah the man of God. —From the accounts in 2 Chronicles 12:5–8; 2 Chronicles 12:15, it would seem that, while Ahijah belonged to Shiloh in Ephraim and continued to dwell there, Shemaiah was rather attached to Judah, and hence his interference to protect the new kingdom was the more striking and unexpected. In this interposition, to which probably the very preservation of Jeroboam’s half-formed kingdom was due, there is a fresh indication of the great opportunity given to that kingdom to maintain itself, under the blessing of God and in devotion to His service. The phrase your brethren, the children of Israel, marks this with much emphasis.