Why did God allow Shishak king of Egypt to attack Jerusalem?

The passage says Shishak came “because they had transgressed against the Lord.” Rehoboam had turned from God’s law after he felt safe and strong, and the people followed him. God sent Shishak with a huge army as judgment for their sin. The prophet Shemaiah told them plainly that since they had forsaken God, he had left them in Shishak’s hand. So this invasion was not just politics or bad luck. It was God using trouble to wake his people up, show them their sin, and call them back to himself.

What does it mean that Rehoboam and the princes humbled themselves?

When Shemaiah brought God’s message of judgment, Rehoboam and the leaders did not argue or make excuses. They lowered themselves and said, “The Lord is righteous.” This means they admitted God was right and they were wrong. Their humility likely showed in their words and in outward signs of sorrow. God noticed this response. He told Shemaiah that because they humbled themselves, he would not destroy them completely. Their humility did not erase all the consequences, but it did bring real mercy and a measure of deliverance.

What is the meaning of God making Judah serve Shishak?

God said, “Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.” By serving Shishak, Judah would feel the difference between serving God and serving a foreign king. God’s service, even with his commands, is lighter than harsh rule from other nations. Their new slavery and tribute were a lesson. They had thrown off God’s good rule, so God let them taste another kind of rule. This showed them that walking away from God does not bring freedom, but heavier burdens.

Why were the golden shields taken and replaced with brass ones?

Shishak took the treasures of the temple and the king’s house, including the gold shields Solomon had made. These shields were part of the royal glory. Losing them showed how far things had fallen since Solomon’s time. Rehoboam replaced them with brass shields, which are cheaper and less glorious. This change is like a picture of their decline. Because of sin, they moved from gold to an imitation. The worship and honor of God in Judah were no longer what they had been, and the new shields quietly reminded everyone of what had been lost.

What does this passage teach about God’s judgment and mercy?

This story holds both together. When Rehoboam and Judah forsook God’s law, God did not ignore it. He allowed a strong enemy to invade, take cities, and strip away treasures. That is real judgment. Yet when they humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is righteous,” God saw it and pulled back from total destruction. He granted “some deliverance” and let good things remain in Judah. So we see that God is just and does not treat sin lightly, but he is also very ready to show mercy when people bow before him and admit their wrong.

Who is Shemaiah in this passage, and what is his role?

Shemaiah is the prophet who brings God’s word to Rehoboam and the princes of Judah. When Shishak threatens Jerusalem, the leaders gather there in fear. God sends Shemaiah to explain why this is happening: they have forsaken God, so he has left them in Shishak’s hand. Later, when they humble themselves, God again speaks through Shemaiah to announce mercy, saying he will not destroy them, but will give them some deliverance. Shemaiah’s role is to make God’s purpose clear in the crisis and to call the leaders to repentance.

What was happening in Judah when Shishak attacked?

At first, Rehoboam’s kingdom had been strengthened, with fortified cities and people gathering to him. For three years they stayed close to God’s ways. But after he became strong, Rehoboam turned from God’s law, and many in Israel followed him into sin. In the fifth year of his reign, after this falling away, Shishak king of Egypt came against Jerusalem with a huge force. He had already taken the fenced cities of Judah and now threatened the capital. The leaders gathered in Jerusalem in fear when the prophet came with God’s message.

How can this story about Rehoboam apply to my life today?

This passage warns about what can happen when life feels secure. Rehoboam turned from God after he felt established and strong. It is easy to drift when things go well. The story also shows that God may use hard events to get our attention and show us where we have turned aside. But it also gives hope. When Rehoboam and the leaders humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is righteous,” God noticed and softened the judgment. In the same way, honest confession and humility before God are never wasted; God is ready to respond with mercy.

Why does the passage say that in Judah things went well after this?

After Shishak left, the text says that when Rehoboam humbled himself, God’s wrath turned so that he would not destroy him completely, “and also in Judah things went well.” This does not mean everything was perfect. They still had lost treasures and had to serve Shishak. But it shows that God allowed good to remain. There were still people in Judah who did what was right and kept true worship. God’s partial deliverance and the presence of faithful people meant the nation was not wiped out, and there was still hope for the future.

2Chr.12.1

2 Chronicles 12:1

KJV

And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him.

Shishak Raids Jerusalem

And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him.

And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the Lord,

With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.

And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.

¶ Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the Lord, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.

Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The Lord is righteous.

And when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.

So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king’s house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king’s house.

And when the king entered into the house of the Lord, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard chamber.

And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the Lord turned from him, that he would not destroy him altogether: and also in Judah things went well.

Cross References

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