What led Rehoboam to forsake the Lord, causing Shishak's invasion in 2 Chronicles 12:2? Setting the Stage 2 Chronicles 11 closes by noting that “for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon” (11:17). Those early years of obedience, however, proved short-lived. Chapter 12 opens: “When the kingdom of Rehoboam was established and strong, he and all Israel with him forsook the Law of the LORD” (12:1). Tracing Rehoboam’s Slide • Self-confidence grew once political stability and military defenses were in place (11:5-12). • Prosperity dulled his sense of dependence on God (compare Deuteronomy 8:11-14). • He ignored the warning embedded in Solomon’s prayer and God’s reply: “If you turn away…then I will uproot Israel from My land” (2 Chronicles 7:19-20). • Pagan practices crept in; parallel history notes “high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles…male shrine prostitutes” (1 Kings 14:23-24). • Leadership failure spread; “he and all Israel with him” fell together (12:1). Spiritual compromise at the top filtered down to the people. Key Indicators of Spiritual Drift • Pride: “When Rehoboam had established his sovereignty and was strong…” (12:1). Strength without humility breeds rebellion. • Neglect of Scripture: Forsaking “the Law of the LORD” (12:1) is abandoning the nation’s covenant guide. • Collective complicity: National apostasy is described corporately—“all Israel with him.” • Unaddressed sin: No record of repentance until consequences arrive (12:6-7). Immediate Consequence: Shishak’s Invasion 2 Chronicles 12:2: “In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem”. Notice the direct link—“because they had been unfaithful.” The text treats Shishak as God’s disciplinary instrument, echoing earlier covenant warnings: • Leviticus 26:17—“I will set My face against you, and you will be defeated by your enemies.” • Deuteronomy 28:25—“The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies.” Lessons for Today • Strength and success are gifts; the moment they become security, spiritual drift begins. • Neglecting Scripture opens a vacuum soon filled by cultural idols. • Leadership’s private compromise quickly becomes a nation’s public crisis. • God keeps covenant promises, both blessings and corrective judgments. Staying under His Word keeps us under His protection. |
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