2 Chronicles 12:7

And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; [therefore] I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

And when the LORD {H3068} saw {H7200} that they humbled {H3665} themselves, the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came to Shemaiah {H8098}, saying {H559}, They have humbled {H3665} themselves; therefore I will not destroy {H7843} them, but I will grant {H5414} them some {H4592} deliverance {H6413}; and my wrath {H2534} shall not be poured out {H5413} upon Jerusalem {H3389} by the hand {H3027} of Shishak {H7895}.

When ADONAI saw that they had humbled themselves, this word of ADONAI came to Sh'ma'yah: "Because they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will grant them a measure of deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Yerushalayim through Shishak.

When the LORD saw that they had humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, β€œThey have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them, but will soon grant them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.

And when Jehovah saw that they humbled themselves, the word of Jehovah came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves: I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

Commentary

Context

This verse follows a critical period in the reign of Rehoboam, son of Solomon, king of Judah. After abandoning the law of the LORD, Judah faced divine judgment through an invasion by Shishak, king of Egypt. The prophet Shemaiah had previously delivered God's message, revealing that this invasion was a direct consequence of their unfaithfulness (2 Chronicles 12:5). In response to this prophetic warning and the looming threat, Rehoboam and the princes of Israel humbled themselves, acknowledging God's righteousness. Verse 7 records God's immediate and merciful response to their repentance, communicated again through Shemaiah.

Key Themes

  • Divine Mercy and Responsiveness: The verse highlights God's readiness to show mercy when His people genuinely repent. His judgment is not absolute if humility is demonstrated. The phrase "when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves" underscores God's attentiveness to the heart's posture.
  • The Power of Humility: Humility is presented as a powerful catalyst for averting complete destruction. It is an act of submission to God's will and an acknowledgment of one's own sin and dependence on Him. This resonates with the broader biblical principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
  • Partial Deliverance: While destruction was averted, the phrase "grant them some deliverance" indicates that consequences for their sin would still be experienced. Jerusalem would not be utterly destroyed by Shishak, but it would suffer loss and tribute, serving as a reminder of their rebellion. This illustrates that repentance may mitigate the severity of judgment, but not always erase all consequences.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even the actions of foreign kings like Shishak are ultimately under God's control. He uses them as instruments of judgment but also limits their power according to His purposes and the people's response.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "humbled themselves" is kana' (Χ›Χ Χ’), which means to bow down, subdue, or be brought low. It signifies a voluntary act of submission and acknowledgment of one's dependence. It's not merely a physical posture but a disposition of the heart. The term "deliverance" (pelitah, Χ€ΧœΧ™Χ˜Χ”) implies an escape or survival, often referring to a remnant or those who are spared from annihilation. This reinforces the idea of a partial rescue rather than a complete restoration to their former prosperity without any repercussions.

Practical Application

This verse offers a timeless lesson for believers today: God remains responsive to genuine humility and repentance. When faced with the consequences of sin or when seeking God's favor, a humble heart is paramount. While God may not always remove all difficulties, sincere repentance can lead to His mercy, preventing complete ruin and granting a measure of deliverance. It encourages us to take responsibility for our actions, confess our sins, and turn back to the Lord, trusting in His compassionate nature even when we face the repercussions of our choices. It also reminds us that God's justice is balanced by His profound mercy.

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 34:25

    Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched.

  • Isaiah 42:25

    Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid [it] not to heart.

  • 1 Kings 21:28

    And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

  • 1 Kings 21:29

    Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: [but] in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.

  • 2 Kings 13:4

    And Jehoahaz besought the LORD, and the LORD hearkened unto him: for he saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them.

  • 2 Kings 13:7

    Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.

  • Luke 15:18

    I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
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