1.
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.
2.
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,
3.
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.
2 Chronicles 12:3. The Lubims, the Sukkiims— The Lubims were a people of Lybia, which adjoined to Egypt, and are sometimes in Scripture called Phut, and sometimes Lubims, from the Arabic word Lub, which signifies dry or thirsty, as was the land which they inhabited. The Sukkiims were the people called Troglodites, because they dwelt in Troglais, caves and dens in the earth, on the coast of the Red Sea. The people called Cush, which we translate Ethiopians, were either inhabitants of a country on the south of Egypt, or the Scenitae of Arabia; for the name was common to both.
4.
And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.
5.
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.
6.
Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous.
7.
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.
8.
Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.
9.
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.
10.
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.
11.
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.
12.
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.
13.
So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty 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. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
2 Chronicles 12:13. Rehoboam was one-and-forty years old when he began to reign— Was sixteen years old. Houbigant. As also in the parallel place of Kings.
14.
And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.
15.
Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.
2 Chronicles 12:15. Concerning genealogies? And there were wars, &c.— In which the wars of Rehoboam and Jeroboam are related. Houbigant.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, Short was the gleam of sunshine which brightened the first years of Rehoboam's government.
1. He forsook the law of God, and Judah followed his example. Their sin is recorded, 1 Kings 14:22-24. Now that the kingdom was strengthened, they not only cast off the fear of man, but of God. Note; Prosperity is a common cause of the ruin of men's souls.
2. God left them not unpunished. Shishak king of Egypt, in the fifth year of Rehoboam, invaded the land, and easily took the fenced cities, in which Rehoboam had reposed his confidence. Note; Human supports will prove but refuges of lies, when God's favour is withdrawn.
3. In this distress, God sends a prophet to the king and princes, assembled probably in council, to enforce the providence for their conviction and humiliation. Note; (1.) The word of God comes with peculiar force, when joined with awakening providences. (2.) It is vain to consult about our defence, if we continue unhumbled for our sins.
4. The prophet's word was attended with deep effects. Conviction seized their hearts, and they confessed the judgment of God just. Note; A sinner is never truly humble, till he justifies God in his sufferings.
5. God, on their humiliation, sends his prophet again to comfort them. Though corrected, they should not be consumed. God would prevent the threatened ruin of Jerusalem; but they should for a time smart for their wickedness, and prove, under an Egyptian yoke, how bad a choice they had made, when they rejected God for their master. Note; (1.) God waits to be gracious: the moment we return in penitence, as prodigal sons, his bowels, as a father, yearn over us. (2.) God makes us often smart in the flesh, even when the guilt of our sin is done away. (3.) They who count God a hard master, and the perfect freedom of his service burdensome, will find the slavery to their lusts, and the wages of sin, a miserable exchange.
6. Shishak, restrained of God, after plundering the country, and carrying off the shields of gold, and all the treasures of Rehoboam which David and Solomon had amassed, retired into Egypt; and the king, stripped of his grandeur, was forced to substitute shields of brass in their stead. Note; The greatest conquerors are restrained by an invisible arm, who gives them their commission, which they cannot exceed.
7. On Shishak's return, and Rehoboam's repentance, God had mercy on Judah; the ravaged country recovered; and religion, which was decayed, again revived and flourished. Things went well in Judah; or, in Judah there were good things. Note; (1.) In the worst days, God has had a faithful few. (2.) The judgments which teach us righteousness, are mercies in disguise.
2nd, On Shishak's retiring, Rehoboam recovered strength, and fortified Jerusalem against any future attacks. His wars with Jeroboam were continued to the end of his reign; for, though no pitched battle was fought, there were constant acts of hostility on the borders. His humiliation seems to have been of no long continuance. His heart was not right with God; he did not apply to him for advice, or pray for his assistance. His reign continued seventeen years, and then his son, too like himself, succeeded him. Note; If our hearts be not engaged truly in the service of God, all is nought.
16.
And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.