1 Kings 14:25

KJV

And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, [that] Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem:

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass in the fifth {H2549} year {H8141} of king {H4428} Rehoboam {H7346}, that Shishak {H7895} king {H4428} of Egypt {H4714} came up {H5927} against Jerusalem {H3389}:

Complete Jewish Bible

In the fifth year of King Rechav'am, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Yerushalayim.

Berean Standard Bible

In the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign, Shishak king of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The fifth year of King Rehoboam's reign over Judah marked a pivotal moment of divine judgment as Shishak, king of Egypt, launched a devastating invasion against Jerusalem. This event serves as a stark historical and theological illustration of the immediate consequences of Judah's widespread spiritual apostasy and unfaithfulness to the Lord, fulfilling the covenant warnings against disobedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of the divided kingdom, immediately following the death of Solomon and the disastrous reign of his son, Rehoboam, over the southern kingdom of Judah. The preceding chapters detail the political schism (see [1 Kings 12](/1_kings/12 "1 Kings 12 - The Division of the Kingdom")) and the rapid spiritual decline of both Israel and Judah. Specifically, [1 Kings 14:22-24](/1_kings/14-22 "1 Kings 14:22-24 - Judah's Sins Under Rehoboam") vividly describes Judah's egregious sins under Rehoboam, including the erection of high places, sacred pillars, Asherah poles, and the proliferation of male cult prostitutes, provoking God's jealousy. The invasion by Shishak, therefore, is presented not as an isolated geopolitical event but as a direct, divinely orchestrated consequence of Judah's profound idolatry and moral corruption, serving as a fulfillment of prophetic warnings and a demonstration of God's righteous judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The invasion occurred in approximately 925 BCE, during the early years of the divided monarchy. Shishak is widely identified with Pharaoh Sheshonk I, the founder of Egypt's 22nd Dynasty. Egyptian records, particularly the Karnak Temple reliefs, corroborate a major military campaign into Canaan during this period, listing numerous conquered cities, including many in Judah and Israel. This invasion was a significant geopolitical shift, marking the end of the relative peace and prosperity enjoyed under Solomon and reasserting Egyptian influence in the Levant, which had waned during the unified monarchy. For Judah, it represented a severe blow, not only militarily and economically but also symbolically, as Jerusalem, the city of David and the temple, was threatened and plundered. The timing, "in the fifth year of king Rehoboam," underscores the swiftness of divine retribution following Judah's rapid descent into apostasy.
* **Key Themes:** The invasion by Shishak powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the Deuteronomistic history (Joshua-Kings). Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment for Disobedience**, demonstrating that God holds His covenant people accountable for their actions. Judah's turning away from the Lord directly provoked this external threat, aligning with the covenant curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Consequences of Disobedience"). Secondly, the event underscores **God's Sovereignty in History**, showing that even powerful foreign monarchs like Shishak are instruments in God's hands, used to discipline His people and accomplish His purposes. God orchestrates the affairs of nations to bring about His will, whether for blessing or judgment. Thirdly, it emphasizes the **Vulnerability of Spiritual Decline**, revealing that when a nation or individual deviates from God's ways, they become susceptible to external pressures and internal decay, losing the divine protection previously afforded by faithfulness. The once-mighty Solomonic kingdom, now divided and spiritually weakened, was ripe for attack.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shishak (Hebrew, _Shiyshaq_):** This name refers to the Egyptian Pharaoh Sheshonk I, a powerful ruler who founded the 22nd Dynasty. His identification provides crucial historical verification for the biblical narrative, confirming the accuracy of the account within the broader geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East. The mention of his name anchors the theological narrative in concrete historical reality.
* **came up against (Hebrew, עָלָה, _‘alah_):** This verb literally means "to go up" or "to ascend." In a military context, it signifies a hostile advance or invasion, often implying an ascent to a higher geographical location (e.g., from the coastal plain to the Judean hills where Jerusalem is situated) or a full-scale military campaign rather than a mere border skirmish. It conveys the deliberate and aggressive nature of Shishak's movement towards Jerusalem.
* **Jerusalem (Hebrew, יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, _Yerushalaim_):** The capital city of the southern kingdom of Judah, the city of David, and the location of Solomon's Temple. Its inclusion as the target signifies the severity of the invasion, as it was the spiritual and political heart of the nation. The threat to Jerusalem underscored the directness of God's judgment upon the very center of Judah's religious and national identity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam":** This temporal marker precisely dates the event to a specific point in Rehoboam's reign, highlighting the swiftness of the divine response to Judah's apostasy. It emphasizes that the judgment was not delayed but occurred relatively early in the period of unfaithfulness, serving as an immediate consequence.
* **"that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem":** This clause identifies the agent of judgment (Shishak, king of Egypt) and the target (Jerusalem). It describes a full-scale military invasion, not just a minor raid, signifying a profound national crisis. The phrase "king of Egypt" underscores the power and foreign nature of the invading force, an external instrument used by God to discipline His people.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Primarily, it functions as a clear example of **Divine Judgment** presented through **Historical Narrative**. The text directly links Judah's spiritual decline (detailed in preceding verses) to the subsequent invasion, establishing a strong **Cause and Effect** relationship. The invasion by Shishak is not merely a political event but a divinely ordained consequence, demonstrating God's active involvement in human history to uphold His covenant. Furthermore, the swiftness of the judgment, occurring "in the fifth year," serves as a **Warning** to future generations about the immediate repercussions of disobedience. The mention of "Jerusalem" as the target also carries **Symbolism**, as the city represented the heart of the covenant and the dwelling place of God, making its vulnerability a powerful sign of God's displeasure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The invasion of Shishak serves as a powerful theological statement about God's covenant faithfulness and His righteous character. While God is merciful, He is also just, and He will not tolerate persistent rebellion from His people. This event demonstrates that God uses even foreign powers, seemingly operating according to their own geopolitical ambitions, as instruments of His divine will to discipline His unfaithful people. It underscores the principle that spiritual choices have tangible, real-world consequences, both for individuals and for nations. The plundering of the temple and the royal treasury, though not explicitly stated in this verse, is detailed in [1 Kings 14:26](/1_kings/14-26 "1 Kings 14:26 - Shishak Plunders Jerusalem"), signifying the loss of glory and protection due to sin.

* [Deuteronomy 28:47-48](/deuteronomy/28-47 "Deuteronomy 28:47-48 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [2 Chronicles 12:2-12](/2_chronicles/12-2 "2 Chronicles 12:2-12 - Shishak's Invasion and Judah's Repentance")
* [Isaiah 10:5-7](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-7 - Assyria as God's Instrument")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Shishak's invasion of Jerusalem in 1 Kings 14:25 offers a timeless and sobering lesson for believers today. It reminds us that while God is infinitely gracious, He is also holy and just, and He calls His people to lives of faithfulness and obedience. Just as Judah's spiritual decline led to vulnerability and hardship, our own choices to stray from God's path can expose us to various forms of spiritual and even practical consequences. This narrative serves as a powerful call to self-examination, urging us to consider whether our lives, our families, or our communities are truly aligning with God's will or if we are provoking Him through idolatry, pride, or disobedience. It underscores the profound truth that true security and flourishing come not from military might or economic prosperity, but from unwavering devotion to the Lord. When faced with difficulties, we are invited to discern if they are a form of divine discipline, prompting us to repent and return wholeheartedly to Him, trusting in His mercy and restorative power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be provoking God's jealousy through unfaithfulness or idolatry?**
* **How does this account challenge my understanding of God's justice and His active involvement in human history?**
* **What "external threats" or difficulties in my life or community might be a call to spiritual repentance and a return to God?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper commitment to obedience, recognizing that true security comes from faithfulness to God?**

### FAQ

**Who was Shishak, and why did he invade Jerusalem?**

Answer: Shishak is widely identified with Pharaoh Sheshonk I, the founder of the 22nd Dynasty of Egypt. He invaded Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam's reign (circa 925 BCE). While Egyptian records suggest a broader campaign to reassert Egyptian influence in Canaan, the biblical narrative presents his invasion primarily as a divine judgment upon Judah for their widespread spiritual apostasy and idolatry. [1 Kings 14:22-24](/1_kings/14-22 "1 Kings 14:22-24 - Judah's Sins Under Rehoboam") explicitly details Judah's sins, indicating that Shishak was an instrument in God's hand to discipline His unfaithful people, fulfilling the covenant curses for disobedience (see [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")).

**What was the significance of the invasion occurring "in the fifth year" of Rehoboam's reign?**

Answer: The specific timing, "in the fifth year," highlights the swiftness and immediacy of God's judgment. It demonstrates that Judah's spiritual decline under Rehoboam was rapid and severe, provoking a quick divine response. This early judgment served as a stark warning not only to Rehoboam and his generation but also to future kings and the people of Judah, emphasizing that God would not tolerate prolonged unfaithfulness. The account in [2 Chronicles 12:2](/2_chronicles/12-2 "2 Chronicles 12:2 - Shishak's Invasion") further confirms this, stating that the invasion occurred "because they had transgressed against the LORD."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The invasion of Shishak, a vivid display of divine judgment against a disobedient people, ultimately points to the profound need for a perfect King and a new covenant. While Rehoboam's reign brought vulnerability and loss due to sin, Jesus Christ, the true King of kings, offers ultimate security and an eternal kingdom that "shall never be destroyed" (as prophesied in [Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Eternal Kingdom")). The judgment that fell upon Judah for their idolatry foreshadows the ultimate judgment for all sin, a judgment that Christ himself bore on the cross (see [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). He became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), enduring the divine wrath so that those who believe in Him might receive forgiveness and eternal life. Unlike Rehoboam's Jerusalem, which was plundered, the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city, is secure and glorious, founded on Christ, the cornerstone, and will never be overcome by any external enemy or internal decay ([Revelation 21:2-4](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2-4 - The New Jerusalem")). Thus, this Old Testament account, while demonstrating God's justice, ultimately magnifies the grace and perfect provision found in Christ, who delivers us from the consequences of sin and establishes an unshakable kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 11:40

Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

2 Chronicles 12:2

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,

2 Chronicles 12:4

And he took the fenced cities which [pertained] to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 12:9

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.