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.

So Shishak {H7895} king {H4428} of Egypt {H4714} came up {H5927} against Jerusalem {H3389}, and took away {H3947} the treasures {H214} of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, and the treasures {H214} of the king's {H4428} house {H1004}; he took {H3947} all: he carried away {H3947} also the shields {H4043} of gold {H2091} which Solomon {H8010} had made {H6213}.

So Shishak king of Egypt attacked Yerushalayim. He took the treasures in the house of ADONAI and the treasures in the royal palace - he took everything, including the gold shields Shlomo had made.

So King Shishak of Egypt attacked Jerusalem and seized the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the royal palace. He took everything, including the gold shields that Solomon had made.

So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of Jehovah, and the treasures of the king’s house: he took all away: he took away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 12:9 records a significant moment in the history of the Kingdom of Judah under King Rehoboam, marking a period of decline and divine discipline. This verse details the successful invasion by Pharaoh Shishak of Egypt, who plundered the sacred and royal treasures of Jerusalem.

Historical and Cultural Context

Following the death of King Solomon and the division of the united monarchy, his son Rehoboam reigned over the southern kingdom of Judah. Early in his reign, Rehoboam and all Israel "forsook the law of the LORD" (2 Chronicles 12:1). As a direct consequence of this widespread apostasy, God allowed Shishak, an actual historical Egyptian pharaoh (Sheshonk I), to invade Judah. This invasion, occurring in the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign, was a severe act of divine judgment. The "treasures of the house of the LORD" refer to the vast wealth accumulated in Solomon's Temple, including gold, silver, and precious vessels dedicated to God's service. The "treasures of the king's house" were the royal palace's riches. Most notably, Shishak "carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made." These golden shields, numbering two hundred large and three hundred small, were symbols of Solomon's immense wealth, prestige, and the glory of his reign, typically used for ceremonial display by his guard. Their loss was a profound blow to Judah's national pride and spiritual standing.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Consequences of Disobedience: The primary message is the direct link between Judah's unfaithfulness to God and the devastating consequences. God had warned His people about the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience (see Deuteronomy 28), and Shishak's invasion served as a tangible fulfillment of these warnings.
  • Diminished Glory: The plundering of the Temple and palace treasures, especially the golden shields, symbolized the significant reduction in Judah's glory and prosperity. This loss is further emphasized in 2 Chronicles 12:10, where Rehoboam replaces the gold shields with inferior bronze ones, reflecting the kingdom's diminished state.
  • God's Sovereignty in Judgment: Even in allowing an enemy nation to plunder His people, God demonstrates His sovereign control. This act of judgment was not arbitrary but a corrective measure designed to humble Judah and bring them back to Him.

Practical Application

The account of Shishak's invasion serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of spiritual faithfulness. Just as Judah lost its material treasures and prestige due to its departure from God, so too can individuals and nations experience spiritual and material decline when they neglect their relationship with the divine. This verse encourages us to examine our own lives for areas of compromise or disobedience. It highlights that true wealth and security are found not in earthly possessions, but in obedience and devotion to God. The loss of the golden shields reminds us that outward symbols of success or glory can be fleeting if the foundation of faith is not maintained.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 9:15 (4 votes)

    And king Solomon made two hundred targets [of] beaten gold: six hundred [shekels] of beaten gold went to one target.

  • 2 Chronicles 9:16 (4 votes)

    And three hundred shields [made he of] beaten gold: three hundred [shekels] of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

  • 1 Kings 10:16 (4 votes)

    And king Solomon made two hundred targets [of] beaten gold: six hundred [shekels] of gold went to one target.

  • 1 Kings 10:17 (4 votes)

    And [he made] three hundred shields [of] beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

  • 2 Kings 16:8 (3 votes)

    And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent [it for] a present to the king of Assyria.

  • 1 Kings 15:18 (2 votes)

    Then Asa took all the silver and the gold [that were] left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,

  • Lamentations 1:10 (2 votes)

    The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen [that] the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command [that] they should not enter into thy congregation.