2 Chronicles Chapter 12 — Rehoboam and the Egyptian Invasion
After King Rehoboam abandons the law of the Lord, King Shishak of Egypt invades Jerusalem and plunders the temple's treasures. The leaders humble themselves, leading God to spare the city from total destruction.
1When the kingdom of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the LORD’s law, and all Israel with him.
2In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had trespassed against the LORD,
3with twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen. The people were without number who came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians.
4He took the fortified cities which belonged to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.
5Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah, who were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “The LORD says, ‘You have forsaken me, therefore I have also left you in the hand of Shishak.’ ”
6Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, “The LORD is righteous.”
7When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the LORD’s word came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath won’t be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
8Nevertheless they will be his servants, that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.”
9So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem and took away the treasures of the LORD’s house and the treasures of the king’s house. He took it all away. He also took away the shields of gold which Solomon had made.
10King Rehoboam made shields of bronze in their place, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, who kept the door of the king’s house.
11As often as the king entered into the LORD’s house, the guard came and bore them, then brought them back into the guard room.
12When he humbled himself, the LORD’s wrath turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether. Moreover, there were good things found in Judah.
13So King Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem and reigned; for Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to put his name there. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess.
14He did that which was evil, because he didn’t set his heart to seek the LORD.
15Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, aren’t they written in the histories of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer, in the genealogies? There were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.
16Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in David’s city; and Abijah his son reigned in his place.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
2 Chronicles 12:5
“The LORD says, ‘You have forsaken me, therefore I have also left you in the hand of Shishak.’”
This verse explains the theological connection between the nation's spiritual abandonment of God and the resulting military invasion.
2 Chronicles 12:12
“When he humbled himself, the LORD’s wrath turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether.”
This verse highlights that humility before God can mitigate judgment and lead to preservation.
2 Chronicles 12:14
“He did that which was evil, because he didn’t set his heart to seek the LORD.”
This serves as the biblical author's final verdict on Rehoboam's character and the spiritual state of his heart.
Chapter Summary
In 2 Chronicles Chapter 12, King Rehoboam transitions from a period of strength to a time of spiritual decline by abandoning the Lord’s law. In response to this unfaithfulness, King Shishak of Egypt attacks Jerusalem with a massive army of twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen. The prophet Shemaiah confronts the king and the princes of Judah, explaining that their abandonment of God led to this invasion. Upon hearing this, the leaders humble themselves and acknowledge God's righteousness. Consequently, God promises not to destroy them completely, though they must become Shishak’s servants to understand the difference between serving God and serving foreign kingdoms. Shishak plunders the treasures of both the temple and the royal palace, including Solomon's gold shields. Rehoboam replaces these with bronze shields, symbolizing the diminished glory of his reign. The chapter concludes with a summary of Rehoboam’s seventeen-year reign, noting his failure to seek the Lord consistently, and ends with the succession of his son Abijah.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the text, Shishak attacked because King Rehoboam and the people of Judah had trespassed against the Lord by abandoning His law.
King Shishak of Egypt took them away as plunder when he looted the treasures of the temple and the king's house.
Rehoboam and the princes of Israel humbled themselves and admitted that the Lord was righteous in His judgment.
He replaced the gold shields with bronze shields, which were then committed to the captains of the guard who protected the king's house.
Study Note
The replacement of Solomon’s gold shields with bronze ones serves as a literary and historical symbol of the diminished glory and status of the kingdom following its spiritual drift.
Related Chapters
1 Kings 14
Provides the parallel historical account of Rehoboam's reign and Shishak's invasion of Judah.
2 Chronicles 11
Describes the period of strength and establishment that preceded Rehoboam's spiritual decline.
2 Chronicles 7
Contains God's earlier promise to respond with mercy if His people humble themselves and pray.
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