The
Prophet Shemaiah (Samaia) lived under King Solomon
and his son Rehoboam. At that time, the kingdom of
Israel in the north was divided from the southern
kingdom of Juda. Israel was comprised of ten loosely
united tribes, and Juda of two tribes. The prophet
ordered Rehoboam not to make war against the ten
tribes of Israel, who had separated themselves from
the offspring of David (3/1 Kings 12:22, 2 Chron.
11:2). His name means “God hears.”