Verses 1-16

CHAPTER 12 Rehoboam’s Apostasy, Punishment, and Death

1. Rehoboam’s apostasy (2 Chronicles 12:1)

2. Punishment through Shishak (2 Chronicles 12:2-12)

3. Death of Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 12:13-16)

The kingdom had been established; Rehoboam had strengthened himself and lived in the indulgence of the flesh. Then followed the awful plunge into apostasy. “He forsook the law of the Lord and all Israel with him.” Idolatry in the high places and under every green tree was established and fostered by him. “And there were also Sodomites in the land, and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel” (1 Kings 14:22-24).

Then Shishak came from Egypt against Jerusalem with an immense army. He was the first king of the twenty-second, or Bubastic dynasty. In his army were the Lubims (Libyans), Sukkims (desert tribes) and the Ethiopians. The cities which Rehoboam had built and fortified could not keep him out, for the LORD had brought him to punish Jerusalem. When Jerusalem was threatened and the Egyptian hordes were about to proceed against Jerusalem, Shemaiah, the man of God, appeared once more. He brought the solemn message from the LORD, “Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I left you in the hand of Shishak.” That for which the LORD always looks first of all, when His people have sinned and departed from Him, was done by the princes and the king. “They humbled themselves.” And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves and were returning to Him, He had compassion on them. Some deliverance was granted and the wrath was not poured out upon the city. And He is still the same gracious LORD, always ready to forgive His people, when they return unto Him. However, the pride of Rehoboam had to be dealt with and, therefore, Shishak was permitted to take away the immense riches which Solomon had stored up in the treasures of the house of the LORD and in the king’s house. The shields of gold were also carried away. Sad is the record of this son of Solomon: “And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.” Had he prepared his heart to seek the LORD, he would not have done the evil which he did. The only thing which can keep from evil is to seek the LORD and walk in obedience to His Word. Rehoboam’s reign, with the exception of three years in which he walked in the way of David and Solomon, was a reign of trouble. Besides Shishak’s invasion “there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually” (verse 15).