PREVIOUS CHAPTER - NEXT CHAPTER - HELP - GR VIDEOS - GR YOUTUBE - TWITTER - SD1 YOUTUBE CHAPTER 12 2Ch 12:1-12. REHOBOAM, FORSAKING GOD, IS PUNISHED BY SHISHAK. 1. when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself--(See on 2Ch 11:17). During the first three years of his reign his royal influence was exerted in the encouragement of the true religion. Security and ease led to religious decline, which, in the fourth year, ended in open apostasy. The example of the court was speedily followed by his subjects, for "all Israel was with him," that is, the people in his own kingdom. The very next year, the fifth of his reign, punishment was inflicted by the invasion of Shishak. 2. Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem--He was the first king of the twenty-second or Bubastic Dynasty. What was the immediate cause of this invasion? Whether it was in resentment for some provocation from the king of Judah, or in pursuance of ambitious views of conquest, is not said. But the invading army was a vast horde, for Shishak brought along with his native Egyptians an immense number of foreign auxiliaries.
3-5. the Lubims--the Libyans of northeastern Africa.
6. the princes of Israel--(compare 2Ch 12:5, "the princes of Judah"). 7, 8. when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves--Their repentance and contrition was followed by the best effects; for Shemaiah was commissioned to announce that the phial of divine judgment would not be fully poured out on them--that the entire overthrow of the kingdom of Judah would not take place at that time, nor through the agency of Shishak; and yet, although it should enjoy a respite from total subversion, [Judah] should become a tributary province of Egypt in order that the people might learn how much lighter and better is the service of God than that of idolatrous foreign despots.
9. So Shishak . . . came up against Jerusalem--After
the parenthetical clause
(2Ch 12:5-8)
describing the feelings and state of the beleaguered court, the
historian resumes his narrative of the attack upon Jerusalem, and the
consequent pillage both of the temple and the palace.
12. when he humbled himself, the wrath of the Lord turned from him--The promise (2Ch 12:7) was verified. Divine providence preserved the kingdom in existence, a reformation was made in the court, while true religion and piety were diffused throughout the land. 2Ch 12:13-16. HIS REIGN AND DEATH.
13, 14. Rehoboam strengthened . . . and reigned--The
Egyptian invasion had been a mere predatory expedition, not extending
beyond the limits of Judah, and probably, ere long, repelled by the
invaded. Rehoboam's government acquired new life and vigor by the
general revival of true religion, and his reign continued many years
after the departure of Shishak. But
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