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2 Chronicles 12

16 verses

TL;DR

Rehoboam’s abandonment of God’s law triggers Shishak’s attack on Jerusalem; Israel’s humility brings divine mercy, but the city suffers loss of treasures.

Summary

After establishing his reign, Rehoboam forsakes the law of the LORD, provoking Shishak of Egypt to attack Jerusalem in the fifth year of his reign. Shishak brings a large army, including chariots, horsemen, and peoples from Ethiopia and other regions, and takes fortified cities and the treasures of the house of the LORD, including Solomon’s gold shields. Shemaiah the prophet warns the king and the princes that their disobedience has brought Shishak’s hand upon them, and the princes humble themselves, acknowledging the LORD’s righteousness. The LORD, seeing their humility, declares that He will not destroy Jerusalem but will allow Shishak to remain a servant, granting some deliverance while keeping Israel under His judgment. Rehoboam responds by making brass shields in place of the lost gold ones and keeps them under guard. He later humbles himself again, leading the LORD’s wrath to lessen, and Judah experiences relative peace for a time. The chapter ends with a brief record of Rehoboam’s reign, his mother Naamah, his wickedness, his recorded acts, the ongoing wars with Jeroboam, and his burial in the City of David, with his son Abijah succeeding him.

Outline
  1. Rehoboam’s disobedience and Shishak’s invasion of Jerusalem
  2. Prophetic warning, Israel’s humility, and divine judgment
  3. Mercy, loss of treasures, and Rehoboam’s reign summary
Themes
Covenant faithfulness and disobedienceDivine judgment tempered by humilityThe interplay of war and divine protection
Keywords
RehoboamShishakShemaiahJudahJerusalemIsraelhumilitydivine judgmenttreasuresgold shieldsbrass shields
People
RehoboamShishakShemaiahNaamahAbijahIddoSolomon
Places
JerusalemJudahCity of DavidEgypt
Things
twelve hundred chariotsthreescore thousand horsementreasures of the house of the LORDgold shields made by Solomonbrass shields
Key Verses
  • 2 Chronicles 12:5: Shemaiah delivers the LORD’s warning that Israel’s abandonment of Him has invited Shishak’s attack.
  • 2 Chronicles 12:9: The description of Shishak’s seizure of Jerusalem’s treasures illustrates the tangible consequences of Israel’s disobedience.
  • 2 Chronicles 12:12: The LORD’s decision to spare Jerusalem because of the people’s humility marks the turning point from judgment to mercy.
Questions
  • What led Rehoboam to forsake the law of the LORD, and how does this reflect the broader theme of covenant fidelity?
  • In what ways does Israel’s humility alter the LORD’s judgment against them?
  • What does the loss of the gold shields and the introduction of brass shields symbolize theologically?
  • How do the events of Shishak’s raid and the subsequent divine mercy inform our understanding of God’s dealings with disobedient nations?
Sentiment

mixed
The narrative balances judgment for disobedience with mercy granted through humility.