MPV Commentary

Rehoboam, Forsaking God, Is Punished by Shishak.

1 When Rehoboam had established his kingdom and strengthened himself, he initially encouraged true religion during the first three years of his reign (2Ch 11:17). However, as security and ease set in, religious decline followed, culminating in open apostasy in the fourth year. The court's example was quickly emulated by his subjects, with "all Israel" following him, meaning the people in his own kingdom. Just one year later, in the fifth of his reign, punishment arrived through Shishak's invasion.

2 Shishak, king of Egypt, marched against Jerusalem. He was the first ruler of the twenty-second or Bubastic Dynasty. The immediate cause of this invasion is not specified; whether it was a response to provocation from Judah's king or an attempt at conquest is unclear. However, his army consisted of a vast horde, including native Egyptians and numerous foreign auxiliaries.

3-5 The invading forces included the Lubims (Libyans from northeastern Africa), the Sukkiims (thought by some to be Kenite Arabs or Arab troglodytes who inhabited mountain caverns on the western coast of the Red Sea), and the Ethiopians (from regions south of Egypt). With their overwhelming numbers, they captured Judah's fortified cities and marched towards Jerusalem. While Shishak's army besieged the city, the prophet Shemaiah addressed Rehoboam and the princes, attributing this calamity to national apostasy and threatening them with destruction for forsaking God (2Ch 12:6).

6 The princes of Israel (compare 2Ch 12:5, "the princes of Judah") were present.

7-8 When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, their repentance was followed by positive effects. Shemaiah announced that the full measure of divine judgment would not be poured out on them at this time, nor through Shishak's agency; instead, Judah would become a tributary province of Egypt to learn how much lighter and better is the service of God than that of idolatrous foreign despots.

9 So Shishak came up against Jerusalem. After describing the feelings and state of the beleaguered court (2Ch 12:5-8), the historian resumes his narrative, detailing the attack on Jerusalem and the subsequent pillage of both the temple and the palace.

10 He took everything valuable he found. The cost of the targets and shields has been estimated at about £239,000 [Napier, Ancient Workers in Metal]. The shields of gold, made by Solomon, were kept in the house of the forest of Lebanon (2Ch 9:16). They seem to have been borne like maces by palace guards when attending the king to the temple or on public processions. After being plundered, others were made of inferior metal and kept in the guard room for use; despite the tarnished glory of the court, old state etiquette was maintained on public occasions.

11 An account of this conquest is carved and written in hieroglyphics on the walls of the great palace of Karnak, where it may be seen today. This sculpture is about twenty-seven hundred years old and serves as a striking testimony from Egypt to the truth of Scripture history.

12 When Rehoboam humbled himself, the wrath of the Lord turned from him (2Ch 12:7). The promise was verified; divine providence preserved the kingdom in existence, a reformation took place in the court, and true religion and piety were diffused throughout the land.