1 Kings 14:21-31
Shishak Strikes Jerusalem
21Meanwhile, Rehoboam son of Solomon reigned in Judah. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel in which to put His Name. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite.
22And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and by the sins they committed they provoked Him to jealous anger more than all their fathers had done.
23They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.
24There were even male shrine prostitutes in the land. They imitated all the abominations of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.
25In the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem.
26He seized the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the royal palace. He took everything, including all the gold shields that Solomon had made.
27Then 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.
28And whenever the king entered the house of the LORD, the guards would bear the shields, and later they would return them to the guardroom.
29As for the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, along with all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?
30There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam throughout their days.
31And Rehoboam rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David; his mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite. And his son Abijam reigned in his place.
Berean Standard Bible
Rehoboam reigns in Jerusalem, the city the LORD chose from all the tribes to put His name there. His mother is Naamah the Ammonite. Judah does evil in the LORD's sight and provokes Him to jealousy with the sins it commits.
The people build high places, sacred stones, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. They imitate the detestable practices of the nations the LORD drove out. The text presents the problem as widespread, not the mistake of one isolated worshiper.
In the fifth year of Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt attacks Jerusalem. He takes the treasures of the temple and the royal palace, including the gold shields Solomon had made. Rehoboam replaces them with bronze shields and entrusts them to the royal escorts.
The substitution preserves the appearance of royal security while the real treasure has been lost. Judah still has a palace, guards, and a succession record, but the chapter says the nation has not been faithful. Public appearance can survive for a while after substance has gone.
How We Know
The wider biblical record gives this unit a responsible setting. The events in 1 Kings 14:21-31 are part of the royal history that 2 Chronicles also summarizes. The temple, succession, and court details are presented within Israel's continuing covenant story, giving the reader internal points of comparison rather than an isolated legend.
Questions
1 What does Judah do in the LORD's sight?
AnswerJudah does evil by building high places, sacred stones, and Asherah poles and imitating the nations' practices.
2 Who attacks Jerusalem?
AnswerShishak king of Egypt attacks Jerusalem and plunders it in the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign.
3 What does Shishak take?
AnswerHe takes the treasures of the temple and palace, including the gold shields Solomon had made.
4 What does Rehoboam use afterward?
AnswerHe replaces the gold shields with bronze ones and gives them to the royal guards.
What This Means for Us
It is possible to keep the shape of security after losing what made it valuable. A household can preserve appearances, language, and routines while refusing to face the disobedience underneath them.
Do not confuse replacement symbols with restoration. When trust or faithfulness has been damaged, name the loss honestly and repair the substance rather than polishing the substitute.
Prayer
God of truth, keep us from protecting appearances after substance has been lost. Show us where we need repentance and repair, and give us courage to value faithfulness more than the image of security. Amen.