Shishak's Invasion

Chronicles opens its account with the reason. After Rehoboam had established his sovereignty and royal power, "he and all Israel with him forsook the Law of the LORD" (2 Chronicles 12:1). In the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign, both accounts agree, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem (1 Kings 14:25; 2 Chronicles 12:2), and Chronicles adds that it was "because they had been unfaithful to the LORD."

Chronicles gives the size of the force: 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and countless troops who came with him out of Egypt — Libyans, Sukkites and Cushites (2 Chronicles 12:3). Shishak captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem (12:4).

There Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah, who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, with the word of the LORD: "You have forsaken Me; therefore, I have forsaken you into the hand of Shishak" (12:5). The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, "The LORD is righteous" (12:6). When the LORD saw it, His word came again to Shemaiah: "They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them, but will soon grant them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak" (12:7). The deliverance was partial: "Nevertheless, they will become his servants, so that they may learn the difference between serving Me and serving the kings of other lands" (12:8).

Shishak seized the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the royal palace. He took everything, including the gold shields that Solomon had made (1 Kings 14:26; 2 Chronicles 12:9). King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place and committed them to the captains of the guard on duty at the entrance to the royal palace; whenever the king entered the house of the LORD, the guards bore the shields and later returned them to the guardroom (1 Kings 14:27–28; 2 Chronicles 12:10–11).

Chronicles closes with the verdict. Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the anger of the LORD turned away from him, and He did not destroy him completely. "Indeed, conditions were good in Judah" (2 Chronicles 12:12).