II Chronicles 12: A Study in Pride, Humility, and Divine Discipline
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.
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.
And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord.
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.
And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.
II Chronicles 12 offers a poignant narrative of King Rehoboam's reign, serving as a powerful illustration of the consequences of spiritual complacency and the redemptive power of humility. This chapter reveals a cycle of pride, divine judgment, repentance, and partial deliverance, offering timeless lessons for individuals and nations alike.
From Strength to Apostasy (II Chronicles 12:1-4)
The chapter opens with a sobering reality: "After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD" (II Chronicles 12:1). This verse highlights a common human tendency: to grow spiritually lax when things are going well. Rehoboam, secure in his power and military might, turned away from God's law, leading the entire nation into apostasy. This spiritual decline was not merely a personal failing but a national tragedy. The very strength and stability Rehoboam had attained became the breeding ground for his spiritual downfall. He and the people of Judah trusted in their fortified cities and military prowess, forgetting that their true security resided in their relationship with the Lord.
As a result of their unfaithfulness, God allowed Pharaoh Shishak of Egypt to invade Judah. The fortified cities, once a source of pride and confidence, proved insufficient to withstand the Egyptian onslaught. The Egyptians advanced relentlessly, soon reaching the gates of Jerusalem (II Chronicles 12:2-4). This invasion served as a stark reminder that earthly power is fleeting and ultimately powerless against divine judgment.
A Prophet's Rebuke and a Nation's Repentance (II Chronicles 12:5-7)
In His mercy, God did not abandon Judah completely. He sent the prophet Shemaiah to Rehoboam with a clear and direct message: "You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak" (II Chronicles 12:5). This divine rebuke served as a wake-up call for Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah.
The response was remarkable. Instead of resorting to political maneuvering or military strategies, Rehoboam and his leaders humbled themselves before God. They acknowledged their sin and declared, "The LORD is righteous!" (II Chronicles 12:6). This confession of faith and submission to God's judgment demonstrated a genuine change of heart.
God, in His infinite grace, responded to their humility. He relented from pouring out His full wrath on Judah (II Chronicles 12:7). This act of divine mercy underscores the transformative power of repentance and the willingness of God to forgive those who turn to Him in humility.
Partial Deliverance and a Bitter Lesson (II Chronicles 12:8-11)
While God spared Jerusalem from complete destruction, the consequences of Judah's apostasy were still felt. Shishak plundered the temple and the royal palace, stripping them of their treasures (II Chronicles 12:9). Furthermore, Judah became subject to Shishak, serving as his vassal (II Chronicles 12:8).
This servitude was not merely a political or economic setback; it was a divinely ordained punishment designed to teach Rehoboam and Judah a valuable lesson: the difference between serving God and serving earthly powers. As II Chronicles 12:8 states, "so they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands." Serving God brings true freedom and blessing, while serving the world leads to bondage and hardship.
A Mixed Legacy (II Chronicles 12:12-16)
The chapter concludes with an assessment of Rehoboam's reign, revealing a tragic mixture of good and evil. While there was "some good in Judah" (II Chronicles 12:12), and Rehoboam managed to regain some of his former power after the Egyptian invasion, the overall assessment is unfavorable.
The summary of his reign is particularly damning: "He did evil because he did not set his heart on seeking the LORD" (II Chronicles 12:14). This verse encapsulates the essence of Rehoboam's failure. Despite moments of repentance and partial restoration, he never fully committed his heart to seeking God. His reign serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of half-hearted devotion and the importance of wholehearted commitment to the Lord.
Rehoboam's story underscores the crucial importance of consistently seeking God and maintaining a humble and contrite spirit. It is a reminder that true strength lies not in earthly power or material possessions, but in a right relationship with the Lord. The legacy of Rehoboam serves as a challenge to each of us to examine our own hearts and ensure that we are truly seeking God with all our being.
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.
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.
And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord.
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.
And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.
II Chronicles 12 offers a poignant narrative of King Rehoboam's reign, serving as a powerful illustration of the consequences of spiritual complacency and the redemptive power of humility. This chapter reveals a cycle of pride, divine judgment, repentance, and partial deliverance, offering timeless lessons for individuals and nations alike.
From Strength to Apostasy (II Chronicles 12:1-4)
The chapter opens with a sobering reality: "After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD" (II Chronicles 12:1). This verse highlights a common human tendency: to grow spiritually lax when things are going well. Rehoboam, secure in his power and military might, turned away from God's law, leading the entire nation into apostasy. This spiritual decline was not merely a personal failing but a national tragedy. The very strength and stability Rehoboam had attained became the breeding ground for his spiritual downfall. He and the people of Judah trusted in their fortified cities and military prowess, forgetting that their true security resided in their relationship with the Lord.
As a result of their unfaithfulness, God allowed Pharaoh Shishak of Egypt to invade Judah. The fortified cities, once a source of pride and confidence, proved insufficient to withstand the Egyptian onslaught. The Egyptians advanced relentlessly, soon reaching the gates of Jerusalem (II Chronicles 12:2-4). This invasion served as a stark reminder that earthly power is fleeting and ultimately powerless against divine judgment.
A Prophet's Rebuke and a Nation's Repentance (II Chronicles 12:5-7)
In His mercy, God did not abandon Judah completely. He sent the prophet Shemaiah to Rehoboam with a clear and direct message: "You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak" (II Chronicles 12:5). This divine rebuke served as a wake-up call for Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah.
The response was remarkable. Instead of resorting to political maneuvering or military strategies, Rehoboam and his leaders humbled themselves before God. They acknowledged their sin and declared, "The LORD is righteous!" (II Chronicles 12:6). This confession of faith and submission to God's judgment demonstrated a genuine change of heart.
God, in His infinite grace, responded to their humility. He relented from pouring out His full wrath on Judah (II Chronicles 12:7). This act of divine mercy underscores the transformative power of repentance and the willingness of God to forgive those who turn to Him in humility.
Partial Deliverance and a Bitter Lesson (II Chronicles 12:8-11)
While God spared Jerusalem from complete destruction, the consequences of Judah's apostasy were still felt. Shishak plundered the temple and the royal palace, stripping them of their treasures (II Chronicles 12:9). Furthermore, Judah became subject to Shishak, serving as his vassal (II Chronicles 12:8).
This servitude was not merely a political or economic setback; it was a divinely ordained punishment designed to teach Rehoboam and Judah a valuable lesson: the difference between serving God and serving earthly powers. As II Chronicles 12:8 states, "so they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands." Serving God brings true freedom and blessing, while serving the world leads to bondage and hardship.
A Mixed Legacy (II Chronicles 12:12-16)
The chapter concludes with an assessment of Rehoboam's reign, revealing a tragic mixture of good and evil. While there was "some good in Judah" (II Chronicles 12:12), and Rehoboam managed to regain some of his former power after the Egyptian invasion, the overall assessment is unfavorable.
The summary of his reign is particularly damning: "He did evil because he did not set his heart on seeking the LORD" (II Chronicles 12:14). This verse encapsulates the essence of Rehoboam's failure. Despite moments of repentance and partial restoration, he never fully committed his heart to seeking God. His reign serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of half-hearted devotion and the importance of wholehearted commitment to the Lord.
Rehoboam's story underscores the crucial importance of consistently seeking God and maintaining a humble and contrite spirit. It is a reminder that true strength lies not in earthly power or material possessions, but in a right relationship with the Lord. The legacy of Rehoboam serves as a challenge to each of us to examine our own hearts and ensure that we are truly seeking God with all our being.