2 Chronicles 12:5
New International Version
Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had assembled in Jerusalem for fear of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what the LORD says, ‘You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.’”

New Living Translation
The prophet Shemaiah then met with Rehoboam and Judah’s leaders, who had all fled to Jerusalem because of Shishak. Shemaiah told them, “This is what the LORD says: You have abandoned me, so I am abandoning you to Shishak.”

English Standard Version
Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah, who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Thus says the LORD, ‘You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak.’”

Berean Standard Bible
Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what the LORD says: ‘You have forsaken Me; therefore, I have forsaken you into the hand of Shishak.’”

Berean Literal Bible
And Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who were gathered together in Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he said to them, “Thus says YHWH, ‘You⁺ have forsaken Me; and also I have abandoned you⁺ all into the hand of Shishak.’”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah, who were gathered together in Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Thus says the LORD: ‘You have forsaken Me, and therefore I also have left you in the hand of Shishak.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the princes of Judah who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what the LORD says: ‘You have abandoned Me, so I also have abandoned you to Shishak.’”

NASB 1995
Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the princes of Judah who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he said to them, “Thus says the LORD, ‘You have forsaken Me, so I also have forsaken you to Shishak.’”

NASB 1977
Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the princes of Judah who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he said to them, “Thus says the LORD, ‘You have forsaken Me, so I also have forsaken you to Shishak.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the princes of Judah who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he said to them, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘You have forsaken Me, so I also have forsaken you to Shishak.’”

Amplified Bible
Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Thus says the LORD: ‘You have abandoned (turned away from) Me, so I have abandoned you into the hands of Shishak.’”

Berean Annotated Bible
Then Shemaiah (heard by YHWH) the prophet came to Rehoboam (a people has enlarged) and the leaders of Judah (praised) who had gathered at Jerusalem (city of peace) because of Shishak (greedy of fine linen), and he said to them, “This is what the LORD {YHWH} says: ‘You⁺ have forsaken Me; therefore, I have forsaken you⁺ into the hand of Shishak.

Christian Standard Bible
Then the prophet Shemaiah went to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who were gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak. He said to them, “This is what the LORD says: You have abandoned me; therefore, I have abandoned you to Shishak.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Shemaiah the prophet went to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who were gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak. He said to them: “This is what the LORD says: ‘You have abandoned Me; therefore, I have abandoned you into the hand of Shishak.’”

American Standard Version
Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith Jehovah, Ye have forsaken me, therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.

Contemporary English Version
Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah had gone to Jerusalem to escape Shishak's invasion. And while they were there, Shemaiah the prophet told them, "The LORD says that because you have disobeyed him, he has now abandoned you. The LORD will not help you against Shishak!"

English Revised Version
Now Shemaiah the prophet came 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, therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who had gathered in Jerusalem because of Shishak. Shemaiah said to them, "This is what the LORD says: You have abandoned me, so I will abandon you. I will hand you over to Shishak."

Good News Translation
Shemaiah the prophet went to King Rehoboam and the Judean leaders who had gathered in Jerusalem to escape Shishak. He said to them, "This is the LORD's message to you: 'You have abandoned me, so now I have abandoned you to Shishak.'"

International Standard Version
Right then, Shemaiah the prophet approached Rehoboam and the princes of Judah who had gathered together in Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he told them, "This is what the LORD says: 'You abandoned me, so I've abandoned you to Shishak.'"

NET Bible
Shemaiah the prophet visited Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who were assembled in Jerusalem because of Shishak. He said to them, "This is what the LORD says: 'You have rejected me, so I have rejected you and will hand you over to Shishak.'"

New Heart English Bible
And Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam, and to the leaders of Judah, who were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, "Thus says the LORD, 'You have forsaken me, therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were assembled at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what the LORD says: ‘You have forsaken Me; therefore, I have forsaken you into the hand of Shishak.’”

World English Bible
Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah, who were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Yahweh says, ‘You have forsaken me, therefore I have also left you in the hand of Shishak.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Shemaiah the prophet has come to Rehoboam and the heads of Judah who have been gathered to Jerusalem [to escape] from the presence of Shishak, and says to them, “Thus said YHWH: You have forsaken Me, and also, I have left you in the hand of Shishak”;

Berean Literal Bible
And Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who were gathered together in Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he said to them, “Thus says YHWH, ‘You⁺ have forsaken Me; and also I have abandoned you⁺ all into the hand of Shishak.’”

Young's Literal Translation
And Shemaiah the prophet hath come in unto Rehoboam and the heads of Judah who have been gathered unto Jerusalem from the presence of Shishak, and saith to them, 'Thus said Jehovah, Ye have forsaken Me, and also, I have left you in the hand of Shishak;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam, and the chiefs of Judah who were gathered together to Jerusalem from the face of Shishak, and he will say to them, Thus said Jehovah, Ye forsook me, and I also left you in the hand of Shishak.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Semeias the prophet came to Roboam, and to the princes of Juda, that were gathered together in Jerusalem, fleeing from Sesac, and he said to them : Thus saith the Lord: You have left me, and I have left you in the hand of Sesac.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Shemaiah, the prophet, entered to Rehoboam, and to the leaders of Judah who had gathered together in Jerusalem while fleeing from Shishak, and he said to them: “Thus says the Lord: You have abandoned me, and so I have abandoned you into the hand of Shishak.”

New American Bible
Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the commanders of Judah who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them: “Thus says the LORD: You have abandoned me, and so I have abandoned you to the power of Shishak.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and to the officers of Judah, who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Thus says the LORD: You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah that were gathered together at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus says the LORD: You have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now Shemaiah the prophet came 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, therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Samaias the prophet came to Roboam, and to the princes of Juda that were gathered to Jerusalem for fear of Susakim, and said to them, Thus said the Lord, Ye have left me, and I will leave you in the hand of Susakim.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Shishak Raids Jerusalem
4He captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem. 5Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what the LORD says: ‘You have forsaken Me; therefore, I have forsaken you into the hand of Shishak.’” 6So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The LORD is righteous.”…

Cross References
Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah

2 Chronicles 11:2-4
But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God: / “Tell Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah and all the Israelites in Judah and Benjamin / that this is what the LORD says: ‘You are not to go up and fight against your brothers. Each of you must return home, for this is My doing.’” So they listened to the words of the LORD and turned back from going against Jeroboam.

1 Kings 12:22-24
But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God: / “Tell Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah, all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and the rest of the people / that this is what the LORD says: ‘You are not to go up and fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Each of you must return home, for this is My doing.’” So they listened to the word of the LORD and turned back according to the word of the LORD.
who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak,

1 Kings 14:25-28
In the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. / He seized the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the royal palace. He took everything, including all the gold shields that Solomon had made. / Then King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place and committed them to the care of the captains of the guard on duty at the entrance to the royal palace. …

2 Chronicles 32:2-6
When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come to make war against Jerusalem, / he consulted with his leaders and mighty men about stopping up the waters of the springs outside the city, and they helped him carry it out. / Many people assembled and stopped up all the springs and the stream that flowed through the land. “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find plenty of water?” they said. …
and he said to them, “This is what the LORD says:

2 Samuel 12:7
Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.

1 Kings 20:13
Meanwhile a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do you see this entire great army? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand this very day, and you will know that I am the LORD.’”
‘You have forsaken Me;

2 Chronicles 15:2
So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:16-18
And the LORD said to Moses, “You will soon rest with your fathers, and these people will rise up and prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake Me and break the covenant I have made with them. / On that day My anger will burn against them, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, so that they will be consumed, and many troubles and afflictions will befall them. On that day they will say, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is no longer with us?’ / And on that day I will surely hide My face because of all the evil they have done by turning to other gods.
therefore, I have forsaken you into the hand of Shishak.’”

2 Chronicles 24:24
Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, the LORD delivered into their hand a very great army. Because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, judgment was executed on Joash.

Judges 2:14-15
Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of those who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist. / Wherever Israel marched out, the hand of the LORD was against them to bring calamity, just as He had sworn to them. So they were greatly distressed.
1 Kings 14:22-24
And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and by the sins they committed they provoked Him to jealous anger more than all their fathers had done. / They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. / There were even male shrine prostitutes in the land. They imitated all the abominations of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

1 Kings 11:9-13
Now the LORD grew angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. / Although He had warned Solomon explicitly not to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD’s command. / Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. …

1 Kings 11:31-33
and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes. / But one tribe will remain for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel. / For they have forsaken Me to worship Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in My ways, nor done what is right in My eyes, nor kept My statutes and judgments, as Solomon’s father David did.

1 Kings 12:15
So the king did not listen to the people, and indeed this turn of events was from the LORD, to fulfill the word He had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite.

1 Kings 12:24
that this is what the LORD says: ‘You are not to go up and fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Each of you must return home, for this is My doing.’” So they listened to the word of the LORD and turned back according to the word of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 7:19-22
But if you turn away and forsake the statutes and commandments I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods, / then I will uproot Israel from the soil I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. I will make it an object of scorn and ridicule among all the peoples. / And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ …


Treasury of Scripture

Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, Thus said the LORD, You have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.

Shemaiah

2 Chronicles 11:2
But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

1 Kings 12:22
But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

Ye have forsaken me

2 Chronicles 12:1,2
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 Chronicles 15:2
And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

Deuteronomy 28:15
But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

left you

2 Samuel 24:14
And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.

Psalm 37:33
The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

Jump to Previous
Abandoned Assembled Forsaken Gathered Hand Jerusalem Judah Princes Prophet Rehoboam Rehobo'am Shemaiah Shemai'ah Shishak Together
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Abandoned Assembled Forsaken Gathered Hand Jerusalem Judah Princes Prophet Rehoboam Rehobo'am Shemaiah Shemai'ah Shishak Together
2 Chronicles 12
1. Rehoboam, forsaking the Lord, is punished by Shishak
5. He and the princes, repenting at the preaching of Shemaiah,
7. are delivered from destruction, but not from spoil
13. The reign and death of Rehoboam












Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah
Shemaiah was a prophet during the reign of Rehoboam, Solomon's son. Prophets in Israel served as God's messengers, often delivering warnings or guidance. Rehoboam, the king of Judah, was facing a crisis due to his earlier decision to increase the burdens on the people, which led to the division of the kingdom. The leaders of Judah were gathered, indicating a council or assembly to address the threat posed by Shishak, the king of Egypt. This gathering in Jerusalem, the political and spiritual center of Judah, underscores the gravity of the situation.

who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak
Shishak, also known as Sheshonq I, was the first king of the 22nd Dynasty of Egypt. His invasion of Judah is historically corroborated by Egyptian records, including a relief at the Karnak Temple. This event occurred around 925 BC, shortly after the division of the united monarchy. The gathering at Jerusalem highlights the city's significance as a fortified refuge and a place of decision-making. Shishak's campaign is seen as a divine judgment against Judah for their unfaithfulness.

and he said to them, “This is what the LORD says:
The phrase "This is what the LORD says" is a common prophetic formula, emphasizing that the message is not from the prophet himself but from God. It underscores the authority and divine origin of the message. The use of the covenant name "LORD" (YHWH) reminds the audience of their special relationship with God, which they have neglected.

‘You have forsaken Me;
This accusation points to the spiritual apostasy of Judah under Rehoboam's leadership. Forsaking God often involved idolatry and neglect of the covenantal laws given through Moses. The spiritual decline began with Solomon's later years and continued under Rehoboam, as the people turned to other gods and practices contrary to the covenant.

therefore, I have forsaken you into the hand of Shishak.’”
The principle of divine retribution is evident here: as Judah forsook God, He allowed them to face the consequences of their actions. Being "forsaken" into the hand of Shishak implies military defeat and subjugation. This reflects the covenantal curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28 for disobedience. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of the seriousness of covenant faithfulness and the reality of divine judgment. This event foreshadows the ultimate exile of Judah, pointing to the need for a faithful king, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who perfectly obeys and restores the covenant relationship.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Shemaiah the Prophet
A prophet of God who delivered messages to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah. His role was to communicate God's will and warnings.

2. Rehoboam
The son of Solomon and king of Judah. His reign was marked by division and conflict, partly due to his failure to follow God's commandments.

3. Leaders of Judah
The officials and elders who were responsible for guiding the people of Judah. They gathered in Jerusalem during the crisis with Shishak.

4. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, a central place of worship and governance for the Israelites.

5. Shishak
The king of Egypt who invaded Judah. His invasion was a consequence of Judah's abandonment of God.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Abandoning God
When we turn away from God, we open ourselves to negative consequences. Just as Judah faced invasion due to their abandonment of God, we too can face spiritual and practical challenges when we stray from His path.

The Role of Prophets and God's Messengers
God often uses individuals to deliver His messages and warnings. We should be attentive to those who speak truth into our lives, as they may be conveying God's will.

The Importance of Leadership in Faithfulness
Leaders have a significant impact on the spiritual direction of a community. Rehoboam's failure to lead according to God's commandments had dire consequences for Judah. This underscores the importance of godly leadership.

Repentance and Restoration
Although the passage highlights abandonment, it also implies the possibility of repentance. Turning back to God can restore our relationship with Him and bring about His favor.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 12:5?

2. How does 2 Chronicles 12:5 illustrate God's response to Israel's disobedience?

3. What does "forsaken the LORD" reveal about Israel's spiritual condition?

4. How can we apply the warning in 2 Chronicles 12:5 to our lives?

5. What similar warnings are found elsewhere in Scripture about forsaking God?

6. How should we respond when confronted with our own spiritual failings?

7. What does 2 Chronicles 12:5 reveal about God's response to disobedience?

8. How does 2 Chronicles 12:5 illustrate the consequences of forsaking God's law?

9. In what ways does 2 Chronicles 12:5 challenge our understanding of divine justice?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 12?

11. 2 Chronicles 12:5–7 – How do we reconcile God’s initial intention to punish Judah entirely with His later decision to spare them?

12. How did Judah's kings follow or stray from God?

13. 2 Chronicles 11 portrays Rehoboam as a strong central authority; how do we address the inconsistencies when comparing his strength here with his weaker portrayal in other biblical passages?

14. Why does 1 Kings 12:14 present Rehoboam’s answer as solely harsh, despite other biblical accounts that sometimes provide a balancing perspective?
What Does 2 Chronicles 12:5 Mean
Then Shemaiah the prophet came

Shemaiah steps onto the scene as God’s spokesperson. His arrival reminds us that the Lord never leaves His people without a word, even in chastening times (cf. Amos 3:7; 2 Chron 11:2–4). Prophets were sent not merely to predict but to confront, correct, and call to repentance (Jeremiah 7:25). By coming uninvited, Shemaiah shows that divine authority overrides royal authority.


to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah

• Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, is accountable for leading Judah (1 Kings 12:12–17).

• The “leaders” (officials, commanders, elders) share in that accountability (Numbers 1:16; 2 Samuel 24:2–3).

Their collective responsibility means collective consequences. Leadership cannot hide behind the crowd when God calls for an answer (James 3:1).


who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak

• Shishak, king of Egypt, invades with overwhelming force (2 Chron 12:2–3).

• Jerusalem, once the city of peace, is now a city under siege—a visible reminder that sin erodes security (Leviticus 26:17).

Gathering “because of Shishak” signals panic management rather than faith-driven repentance. It took an external threat for their internal drift to become undeniable.


and he said to them

God’s word is delivered publicly, confronting both king and leaders together, eliminating any excuse of ignorance (Deuteronomy 19:15). Public sin calls for public rebuke (Galatians 2:14).


"This is what the LORD says"

This formula asserts divine origin; opinion is set aside, revelation is foregrounded (Isaiah 1:18; Jeremiah 1:4). Yahweh speaks with covenantal authority, reminding them that the same voice that promised blessing also pronounces judgment (Deuteronomy 28:1, 15).


"You have forsaken Me"

• Forsaking is deliberate abandonment, not accidental drift (Jeremiah 2:13; Hosea 4:6).

• The charge underscores relational betrayal—God desired loyalty, they chose idolatry (1 Kings 14:22–24).

Sin is personal; it wounds the relationship, not just breaks a rule (Psalm 51:4).


"therefore, I have forsaken you into the hand of Shishak"

• Divine hand-off: God removes His protective hedge (Job 1:10; Psalm 125:2).

• Consequence matches sin; as they abandoned God, He allows them to feel what abandonment is like (Judges 10:13–14).

• The “hand of Shishak” is God’s instrument, not an independent force (Isaiah 10:5). Even judgment serves redemptive aims, pressing the people toward humility and restoration (2 Chron 12:7–8).


summary

2 Chronicles 12:5 records God’s straightforward charge and consequence: because Judah deliberately deserted the Lord, He hands them over to an invading power. The verse highlights God’s faithfulness to His covenant—both in blessing and in discipline—and underscores that leadership bears heightened responsibility. Yet even in judgment, God speaks through His prophet, inviting repentance and demonstrating that He remains sovereign over every circumstance, including the hands of foreign kings.

(5) Then.--And.

Shemaiah the prophet.--The section relating to his mission and its results (2Chronicles 12:5-8) is peculiar to the chronicle.

The princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem.--Repulsed by the Egyptian arms, they had fallen back upon Jerusalem, to defend the capital. While the invading host lay before the city, Shemaiah addressed the king and princes.

Ye have forsaken.--There is emphasis on the pronoun. Literally, Ye have forsaken me, and I also have forsaken you, in (into) the hand of Shishak. The phrase "to leave into the hand" of a foe occurs Nehemiah 9:28. (Comp. also 2Chronicles 15:2; 2Chronicles 24:20; and Deuteronomy 31:16-17.) Here the words amount to a menace of utter destruction. (Comp. Jonah 3:4.) . . .

Verse 5. - Shemaiah (see Exposition, 2 Chronicles 11:2). The princes. These seem to have been a fruit of some original organization with Solomon, as they are not found with David (1 Kings 4:2-6). Ye have forsaken me... therefore have I also left you. The same Hebrew verb is employed in both members of this sentence, and the rendering should follow in like manner (see 2 Chronicles 7:19-22).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Shemaiah
וּֽשְׁמַֽעְיָ֤ה (ū·šə·ma‘·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8098: Shemaiah -- 'Yah hears', the name of a number of Israelites

the prophet
הַנָּבִיא֙ (han·nā·ḇî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

came
בָּ֣א (bā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Rehoboam
רְחַבְעָ֔ם (rə·ḥaḇ·‘ām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7346: Rehoboam -- 'a people are enlarged', a king of Judah

and the leaders
וְשָׂרֵ֣י (wə·śā·rê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

of Judah
יְהוּדָ֔ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

who
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

had gathered
נֶאֶסְפ֥וּ (ne·’es·p̄ū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove

at
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Jerusalem
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

because of
מִפְּנֵ֣י (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

Shishak,
שִׁישָׁ֑ק (šî·šāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7895: Shishak -- an Egyptian king

and he said to
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

them,
לָהֶ֜ם (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

“This is what
כֹּה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

says:
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘You
אַתֶּם֙ (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

have forsaken Me;
עֲזַבְתֶּ֣ם (‘ă·zaḇ·tem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

therefore,
וְאַף־ (wə·’ap̄-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 637: Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though

I
אֲנִ֛י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

have forsaken
עָזַ֥בְתִּי (‘ā·zaḇ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

you
אֶתְכֶ֖ם (’eṯ·ḵem)
Direct object marker | second person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

into the hand
בְּיַד־ (bə·yaḏ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of Shishak.’”
שִׁישָֽׁק׃ (šî·šāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7895: Shishak -- an Egyptian king


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 12:5 Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 12:4
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