2 Chronicles 12:4

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

And he took {H3920} the fenced {H4694} cities {H5892} which pertained to Judah {H3063}, and came {H935} to Jerusalem {H3389}.

He captured the fortified cities of Y'hudah, then went to Yerushalayim.

He captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.

And he took the fortified cities which pertained to Judah, and came unto Jerusalem.

Commentary

Context

This verse details the progress of Shishak, King of Egypt, in his invasion of Judah. Following the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam ascended the throne. While initially strong, Rehoboam and Judah soon forsook the law of the Lord, prompting divine judgment. Shishak's campaign, described in 2 Chronicles 12:2, was a direct consequence of this unfaithfulness.

The "fenced cities" refer to the fortified towns and strongholds that Rehoboam himself had diligently built and strengthened throughout Judah, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 11:5-12. These were strategic defensive points designed to protect the kingdom, yet they fell to the Egyptian forces.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Disobedience: The rapid fall of these seemingly impregnable cities underscores the swift and tangible repercussions of turning away from God's covenant. Judah's security, built on physical fortifications, crumbled when their spiritual foundation was compromised.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: Shishak's invasion was not merely a geopolitical event but an instrument of God's discipline. Even powerful foreign kings like Shishak are used by God to bring about His purposes, humbling those who defy Him.
  • Futility of Human Reliance: Despite Rehoboam's extensive efforts in fortifying the land, these "fenced cities" offered no ultimate protection against a divinely ordained judgment. This highlights the biblical principle that unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain that build it.

Linguistic Insights

The term "fenced cities" translates from the Hebrew `ืžึดื‘ึฐืฆึธืจ` (mibtsar), meaning a "fortress" or "stronghold." The King James Version's use of "fenced" accurately conveys the sense of being enclosed and fortified, emphasizing their intended defensive strength. The phrase "pertained to Judah" clarifies that these were within the territory of the southern kingdom, directly impacting Rehoboam's realm before Shishak's advance on Jerusalem.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true security and prosperity for individuals and nations ultimately rest on their relationship with God, not on material wealth, military might, or human ingenuity alone. When we turn from God's ways, even our best-laid plans and strongest defenses can prove inadequate. It calls us to regularly examine our hearts and ensure our trust is placed in the Lord, seeking His guidance and obeying His commands, rather than relying solely on worldly safeguards.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 11:5 (4 votes)

    And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.

  • 2 Chronicles 11:12 (4 votes)

    And in every several city [he put] shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.

  • 2 Kings 18:17 (2 votes)

    ยถ And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which [is] in the highway of the fuller's field.

  • Jeremiah 5:10 (2 votes)

    ยถ Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they [are] not the LORD'S.

  • Isaiah 36:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, [that] Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.

  • Isaiah 8:8 (2 votes)

    And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach [even] to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

  • Isaiah 10:11 (2 votes)

    Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?