Topical Encyclopedia Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and Naamah the Ammonite, was the first king of the southern kingdom of Judah following the division of the united monarchy of Israel. His reign is marked by significant events, including the invasion by Shishak, the king of Egypt, which resulted in the plundering of Jerusalem.Background and Reign Rehoboam ascended to the throne around 931 BC, following the death of his father, Solomon. His reign began with a critical decision at Shechem, where he faced the demands of the Israelites to lighten the heavy yoke imposed by Solomon. Rejecting the counsel of the elders and heeding the advice of his peers, Rehoboam responded harshly, leading to the rebellion of the northern tribes and the establishment of Jeroboam as king over Israel (1 Kings 12:1-20; 2 Chronicles 10:1-19). Invasion by Shishak In the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign, Shishak, king of Egypt, launched an invasion against Judah. This event is recorded in both 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, highlighting the consequences of Rehoboam's abandonment of the law of the LORD. The biblical narrative attributes this invasion to the unfaithfulness of Rehoboam and the people of Judah, who had turned away from following the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:1-2). Shishak's campaign is described in 1 Kings 14:25-26 : "In the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign, Shishak king of Egypt came up and 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." The Chronicler provides additional details, noting that Shishak's forces included a vast army of chariots and horsemen, along with troops from various nations (2 Chronicles 12:3). The prophet Shemaiah delivered a message from the LORD to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah, declaring that their abandonment of God had led to this calamity. In response, the leaders humbled themselves, and the LORD relented from destroying them completely, though they became subject to Shishak (2 Chronicles 12:5-8). Consequences and Legacy The invasion by Shishak had significant repercussions for Rehoboam's kingdom. The loss of the treasures of the temple and the royal palace symbolized the diminished glory of Judah compared to the splendor of Solomon's reign. Rehoboam replaced the gold shields taken by Shishak with bronze ones, a tangible sign of the decline in wealth and prestige (1 Kings 14:27-28; 2 Chronicles 12:10-11). Rehoboam's reign continued for 17 years, during which he struggled to maintain stability and faithfulness to the LORD. The biblical account emphasizes the importance of obedience to God and the consequences of turning away from His commandments. Rehoboam's account serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of pride and the necessity of humility before God. Rehoboam was succeeded by his son Abijah, and he was buried in the City of David (1 Kings 14:31; 2 Chronicles 12:16). His reign is a pivotal moment in the history of Judah, illustrating the challenges faced by the divided kingdom and the enduring need for reliance on the LORD. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 14:25-28And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem: Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 12:1-12 Library The New Garment Bent The Prophet Joel. Resources What constitutes marriage according to the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Tamar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What happened to the Ark of the Covenant? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Rehoboam: Builds Fortified Cities; is Temporarily Prosperous Rehoboam: Genealogy and Descendants of Rehoboam: Invaded by the King of Egypt and Plundered Rehoboam: Refuses to Reform Abuses Rehoboam: Successor to Solomon As King Rehoboam: Ten Tribes, Under the Leadership of Jeroboam, Successfully Revolt From Related Terms |
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