2 Chronicles 12:5

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.

Then came {H935} Shemaiah {H8098} the prophet {H5030} to Rehoboam {H7346}, and to the princes {H8269} of Judah {H3063}, that were gathered together {H622} to Jerusalem {H3389} because {H6440} of Shishak {H7895}, and said {H559} unto them, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Ye have forsaken {H5800} me, and therefore have I also {H637} left {H5800} you in the hand {H3027} of Shishak {H7895}.

Now Sh'ma'yah the prophet came to Rechav'am and the leaders of Y'hudah who had gathered in Yerushalayim because of Shishak and said to them, "Here is what ADONAI says: 'Because you have abandoned me, I have abandoned you to the hands of Shishak.'"

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, β€œThis is what the LORD says: β€˜You have forsaken Me; therefore, I have forsaken you into the hand of Shishak.’”

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.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 12:5 presents a pivotal moment in the reign of King Rehoboam, Solomon's son. After forsaking the Lord, Judah faces the consequences of their spiritual decline, delivered through the prophet Shemaiah.

Context

This verse occurs during a tumultuous period in Israel's history, shortly after the kingdom's division into Judah (south, under Rehoboam) and Israel (north, under Jeroboam). Rehoboam and the people of Judah had quickly abandoned the Lord's law, turning to idolatry and apostasy (see 2 Chronicles 12:1). As a result, God allowed Shishak, the powerful king of Egypt, to invade Judah, threatening Jerusalem itself. In this moment of crisis, when Rehoboam and his princes were gathered in fear, God sent Shemaiah, a prophet previously mentioned in connection with the kingdom's division (1 Kings 12:22), to deliver a direct message, explaining the reason for their distress.

Key Themes

  • Divine Retribution and Consequence: The central message is clear: Judah's suffering at the hands of Shishak is a direct result of their unfaithfulness. God explicitly states, "Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you." This highlights the biblical principle that actions have consequences, and turning away from God brings about divine discipline. This mirrors the warnings found in the Mosaic Law regarding curses for disobedience.
  • God's Justice and Faithfulness: Even in judgment, God demonstrates His faithfulness by sending a prophet to explain the situation. He doesn't merely punish; He communicates the reason, offering an opportunity for understanding and repentance. This act of sending Shemaiah underscores God's desire for His people to return to Him, rather than being utterly destroyed.
  • The Role of the Prophet: Shemaiah serves as God's mouthpiece, delivering an uncomfortable truth to the king and leaders. This emphasizes the vital role of prophets in ancient Israel to call the nation back to covenant loyalty and to interpret national events through a divine lens.
  • Human Responsibility: The verse places the responsibility squarely on Rehoboam and the princes: "Ye have forsaken me." It's not an arbitrary act by God, but a direct response to their choices.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "forsaken" is `azav (Χ’ΦΈΧ–Φ·Χ‘), which means to abandon, desert, or leave behind. It implies a deliberate act of turning away from a relationship or commitment. When applied to God, it signifies a profound breach of covenant loyalty, a turning away from His commands and worship. The reciprocal action, "I have also left you," uses the same root, emphasizing the direct consequence of their abandonment of God.

Practical Application

The message of 2 Chronicles 12:5 resonates deeply today. It serves as a powerful reminder for individuals and communities:

  • Spiritual Accountability: We are accountable for our choices. When we drift from God or neglect His Word, we open ourselves up to natural and spiritual consequences.
  • Recognizing Divine Discipline: Sometimes, difficulties in life can be God's way of getting our attention, calling us back to Him. Like Rehoboam, we should seek to understand the underlying spiritual reasons for our struggles.
  • The Importance of Repentance: Although not explicitly stated in this verse, the subsequent verses show that the leaders' humbling themselves led to God's mercy (2 Chronicles 12:6). This teaches us that acknowledging our sin and turning back to God is the path to restoration and renewed blessing.
  • Heeding Warnings: God often sends "prophets" or warnings in various forms – through His Word, wise counsel, or challenging circumstances – to guide us. Wisdom lies in listening and responding before consequences escalate.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 11:2

    But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

  • 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.

  • 1 Kings 12:22

    But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

  • Jeremiah 4:18

    Thy way and thy doings have procured these [things] unto thee; this [is] thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.

  • Deuteronomy 28:15

    ΒΆ 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:

  • Deuteronomy 28:68

    And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy [you].

  • 1 Chronicles 28:9

    And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
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