2 Chronicles 12:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Instead of which king {H4428} Rehoboam {H7346} made {H6213} shields {H4043} of brass {H5178}, and committed {H6485} them to the hands {H3027} of the chief {H8269} of the guard {H7323}, that kept {H8104} the entrance {H6607} of the king's {H4428} house {H1004}.

Complete Jewish Bible

To replace them, King Rechav'am made shields of bronze, which he entrusted to the commanders of the contingent guarding the gate to the royal palace.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

And king Rehoboam made in their stead shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, that kept the door of the king’s house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following the devastating invasion by Pharaoh Shishak, who plundered the temple and royal treasury, 2 Chronicles 12:10 details King Rehoboam's pragmatic but deeply symbolic act of replacing the magnificent gold shields of Solomon's era with inferior shields made of brass. This action serves as a stark visual metaphor for the kingdom of Judah's diminished glory, wealth, and divine favor, a direct and visible consequence of their collective unfaithfulness and turning away from the Lord. It profoundly underscores the material and spiritual decline from the opulence and security enjoyed during Solomon's reign, highlighting the tangible repercussions of disobedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the narrative of Rehoboam's reign, specifically detailing the aftermath of a severe invasion by Shishak, king of Egypt. The preceding verses, [2 Chronicles 12:1-9](/2_chronicles/12-1-9 "2 Chronicles 12:1-9 - Rehoboam's Apostasy and Shishak's Invasion"), meticulously chronicle Rehoboam and Judah's apostasy from the Lord, their subsequent humbling before God, and the Lord's partial deliverance from utter destruction by Shishak. However, this divine mercy came with a significant cost: Shishak plundered Jerusalem, seizing all the treasures from the Lord's house and the king's house, including the invaluable gold shields that King Solomon had commissioned ([2 Chronicles 12:9](/2_chronicles/12-9 "2 Chronicles 12:9 - Shishak Plunders Jerusalem")). Verse 10 directly describes Rehoboam's response to this profound loss, emphasizing the immediate and tangible material consequence of their spiritual decline and the stark downgrade from the previous era of unparalleled glory. The narrative subsequently continues to recount the remainder of Rehoboam's reign, which remained characterized by continued unfaithfulness and internal conflict.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The invasion by Shishak (identified with Sheshonk I of Egypt) in the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign is a rare and significant point of synchronism between biblical accounts and extra-biblical historical records, lending strong historical veracity to the narrative. This period marked a substantial decline for the once-united monarchy, which had fragmented after Solomon's death. The gold shields, numbering 500 small and 200 large, were far more than mere decorative items; they constituted a vital part of Solomon's royal regalia and temple furnishings, symbolizing the immense wealth, prestige, and divine blessing that characterized his reign ([1 Kings 10:16-17](/1_kings/10-16-17 "1 Kings 10:16-17 - Solomon's Gold Shields")). Their seizure by a foreign power represented a profound national humiliation and a highly visible indicator of Judah's weakened state. Replacing them with shields made of brass (or bronze), a metal significantly less valuable and more common, was a desperate attempt to maintain the outward appearance of royal dignity and security, even as the true substance had been stripped away. This act vividly reflected the diminished economic and political power of Judah following the division of the kingdom and the devastating Egyptian invasion.
* **Key Themes:** The replacement of the precious gold shields with brass ones in [2 Chronicles 12](/2_chronicles/12 "2 Chronicles 12 - Rehoboam's Reign and Shishak's Invasion") powerfully illustrates several crucial themes. Firstly, it highlights the severe **consequences of disobedience** and unfaithfulness to God, as the material loss is directly linked to Rehoboam and Judah's abandonment of the Lord ([2 Chronicles 12:1](/2_chronicles/12-1 "2 Chronicles 12:1 - Rehoboam's Apostasy")). Secondly, it underscores the profound **loss of glory and national decline** from the peak of Solomon's reign, with the brass shields serving as a visible symbol of national prestige and divine favor being replaced by an inferior substitute. This provides a stark contrast to the divine abundance previously enjoyed. Thirdly, the act speaks to the theme of **human substitutions and superficiality**, where Rehoboam attempts to maintain outward appearances without the true substance of divine blessing or genuine wealth. The brass shields represent a human-made, inferior attempt to replicate what was once a divine gift, underscoring the futility of relying on superficiality when true spiritual richness is absent. Finally, the **symbolism of shields** itself—representing protection and defense—is diminished, reflecting Judah's increased vulnerability and the weakening of their spiritual and physical defenses without God's full favor.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shields (Hebrew, _mâgên'_):** This term (H4043) refers to a small shield or buckler, often used for personal defense in close combat. Figuratively, it can also denote a protector or defense. In this context, the shields were not merely decorative but symbolic of the kingdom's strength, wealth, and God-given protection. Their replacement with an inferior material underscores the loss of this protective and prestigious status, reflecting Judah's diminished security and divine favor.
* **Brass (Hebrew, _nᵉchôsheth'_):** This Hebrew word (H5178) denotes copper or bronze, a metal significantly less valuable and prestigious than gold. The deliberate choice of brass here stands in stark contrast to the original gold shields of Solomon, emphasizing the severe depreciation in value, prestige, and symbolic weight. It signifies a tangible downgrade, reflecting the kingdom's diminished status and the visible consequences of their spiritual decline.
* **Guard (Hebrew, _rûwts'_):** While translated "guard" in the KJV, the underlying Hebrew term (H7323) literally means "to run," referring to the "runners" or royal couriers/bodyguards. These were often elite soldiers responsible for the king's personal security and the defense of the palace. Entrusting the brass shields to them indicates Rehoboam's attempt to maintain the outward appearance of a formidable royal defense, even with inferior materials, highlighting his concern for superficial display over genuine substance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass,"**: This clause immediately establishes the replacement and the significant material downgrade. The phrase "instead of which" directly links this action to the preceding loss of Solomon's gold shields, emphasizing the reactive and compensatory nature of Rehoboam's decision. The choice of "brass" (bronze) is central to the verse's symbolic meaning, representing a stark decline in wealth, glory, and divine favor compared to the gold they replaced. It signifies a tangible consequence of Judah's unfaithfulness and a visible sign of their diminished state.
* **"and committed [them] to the hands of the chief of the guard,"**: This part describes the delegation of the new, inferior shields. The "chief of the guard" (or "captain of the guard," literally "chief of the runners") indicates that these shields were for the royal bodyguard, those responsible for the king's personal safety and the security of the palace. This act shows Rehoboam's attempt to restore a semblance of order and protection, even if with diminished resources, and to maintain the visible presence of a royal defense force, despite the underlying reality of their weakened position.
* **"that kept the entrance of the king's house."**: This final clause specifies the highly visible and symbolic location where these brass shields were deployed. The "entrance of the king's house" (the royal palace) was a prominent public space. Placing the brass shields there was an outward display, an attempt by Rehoboam to project an image of continued strength and security, despite the devastating losses and the underlying spiritual decay that had led to them. It highlights Rehoboam's focus on external appearances rather than the internal reality of his kingdom's diminished state.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the original gold shields representing divine favor, glory, and prosperity, while the replacement brass shields symbolize decline, loss, and human inadequacy. The stark shift from gold to brass functions as a powerful **metaphor** for the kingdom's spiritual and material degradation. The entire scenario serves as an **allegory** for the consequences of turning away from God: just as the physical treasures were lost due to unfaithfulness, so too was the spiritual glory diminished. There is also a strong element of **contrast** between the magnificent and divinely blessed reign of Solomon and the humbled, compromised state under Rehoboam, vividly illustrated by the change in the shields' material. This contrast underscores the severe repercussions of disobedience and the futility of attempting to replace divine provision with human substitutes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The account of Rehoboam's brass shields is a profound theological statement on the consequences of spiritual compromise and the nature of true glory. It illustrates that when a people, or even an individual, turns away from God, the outward manifestations of blessing and protection can diminish or be replaced by inferior substitutes. The loss of the gold shields, which represented God's favor and the kingdom's wealth under Solomon, and their replacement with brass, serves as a tangible reminder that genuine security and prosperity flow from a right relationship with the Lord, not from material possessions or human ingenuity. Rehoboam's action, while practical, also reveals a deep superficiality—an attempt to maintain an outward show of strength and prestige without the divine substance that once undergirded it. This narrative warns against prioritizing external appearances over internal spiritual reality and highlights that God's judgment, even if tempered by mercy, carries visible and often painful consequences, demonstrating that true value lies in divine favor, not in human imitation.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Proverbs 11:4](/proverbs/11-4 "Proverbs 11:4 - Riches Do Not Profit in the Day of Wrath")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Rehoboam's brass shields offers a timeless cautionary tale for believers today, challenging us to deeply examine what we truly value and where we place our ultimate trust. Are we diligently pursuing genuine spiritual substance and God's favor, or are we, perhaps subtly, content with superficial substitutes and outward displays that lack true divine power and authenticity? Just as Judah's physical wealth diminished in direct correlation with its spiritual decline, our own spiritual vitality and the blessings we experience can wane if we drift from a vibrant relationship with God. This verse powerfully reminds us that true security, lasting glory, and ultimate protection originate from God's abiding presence and our faithful obedience to His Word, not from fleeting material possessions, human achievements, or meticulously crafted outward appearances. We are called to guard against spiritual complacency and to constantly pursue a deep, authentic, and uncompromised relationship with Christ, recognizing that compromising on our faith can lead to tangible losses in our lives, even if we attempt to cover them up with lesser alternatives. The profound call is to earnestly seek the incorruptible "gold" of God's presence and favor, rather than settling for the hollow "brass" of human imitation or worldly compromise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be settling for "brass" when God desires to give "gold," indicating a compromise in my pursuit of His best?**
* **What are the "gold shields" (e.g., spiritual gifts, divine favor, peace, joy) in my life that I might be at risk of diminishing or losing due to spiritual complacency or active disobedience?**
* **Am I more concerned with maintaining outward appearances of faith, success, or piety, rather than cultivating genuine spiritual depth and authentic obedience to God's will?**
* **How does this passage encourage me to fundamentally re-prioritize my relationship with God above all material possessions, worldly prestige, or fleeting human approval?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the gold shields that were replaced?**

Answer: The gold shields, meticulously crafted by King Solomon, were profoundly significant. They were not merely decorative but served as powerful symbols of immense wealth, national prestige, and divine blessing during Solomon's unparalleled and glorious reign. [1 Kings 10:16-17](/1_kings/10-16-17 "1 Kings 10:16-17 - Solomon's Gold Shields") and [2 Chronicles 9:15-16](/2_chronicles/9-15-16 "2 Chronicles 9:15-16 - Solomon's Gold Shields") describe them as integral parts of the royal regalia and temple furnishings, vividly demonstrating the unprecedented prosperity, peace, and security of the united kingdom under God's favor. Their catastrophic loss to Pharaoh Shishak was a profound national humiliation and a tangible, visible sign of Judah's diminished glory, wealth, and, most importantly, God's withdrawn favor due to their unfaithfulness and apostasy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Rehoboam's brass shields, a stark image of diminished glory and human substitution, finds its ultimate fulfillment and reversal in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Rehoboam desperately attempted to replace lost gold with inferior brass, Christ offers a glory that is eternal, incorruptible, and unsurpassed. The Old Covenant, with its earthly temple and material symbols of God's presence, was, in a sense, like the gold shields—magnificent in its time but ultimately vulnerable, temporary, and susceptible to human failure and external attack. When humanity, much like Rehoboam and Judah, turned away from God, the glory departed, and only a lesser, human-made substitute remained. However, in Christ, we receive not a mere replacement of brass for gold, but a new and living way, a spiritual reality that transcends all earthly symbols and limitations. He is the true and eternal "shield" of His people, offering perfect protection and an incorruptible inheritance that can never be plundered, diminished, or lost ([Ephesians 6:16](/ephesians/6-16 "Ephesians 6:16 - The Shield of Faith"); [1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3-5 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - An Incorruptible Inheritance")). The superficiality of Rehoboam's act contrasts sharply with Christ, who did not merely restore an outward appearance but brought about a profound, internal spiritual transformation, granting us true and eternal riches in His grace and presence ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). He is the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, offering a glory that is not dependent on fleeting earthly treasures but on His perfect, eternal sacrifice and triumphant resurrection, securing for us a kingdom that cannot be shaken or destroyed ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken")).

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

2 Samuel 23:23

He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the [first] three. And David set him over his guard.

1 Chronicles 11:25

Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the [first] three: and David set him over his guard.

1 Kings 14:27

And king Rehoboam made in their stead brasen shields, and committed [them] unto the hands of the chief of the guard, which kept the door of the king's house.

Song Of Solomon 3:7

¶ Behold his bed, which [is] Solomon's; threescore valiant men [are] about it, of the valiant of Israel.

Song Of Solomon 3:8

They all hold swords, [being] expert in war: every man [hath] his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.

Lamentations 4:1

¶ How is the gold become dim! [how] is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.

2 Samuel 8:18

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [was over] both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.