1 Kings 14:21-31
Shishak Strikes Jerusalem
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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
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Jerusalem is the city the LORD chose for His name, yet Judah fills the land with rival places of worship. The people copy the practices of the nations God drove out before them. Having the temple nearby has not kept them faithful to the God who gave it to them.
In Rehoboam's fifth year, Shishak king of Egypt attacks Jerusalem. He takes the treasures of the temple and palace, including Solomon's gold shields. Rehoboam makes bronze replacements, which the guards carry when he enters the temple. The royal procession continues, but the loss is unmistakable.
Kings does not tell us why Rehoboam chooses those replacements. It does show that Jerusalem's privileged position has not made it untouchable. The LORD's name cannot be used as protection for a people who disregard Him. The parallel account in 2 Chronicles 12 explains that this invasion follows their unfaithfulness; it also records that God spares them from complete destruction when they humble themselves.
Rehoboam dies, and his son takes the throne. War with Jeroboam has continued throughout his reign. The temple remains in Jerusalem, but these years show how much damage can follow when God's people imitate the worship around them.
How We Know
Both accounts name Shishak and describe the loss of the gold shields and their bronze replacements. Chronicles adds Shemaiah's explanation of the invasion, the leaders' humility, and God's decision not to destroy Jerusalem completely. This parallel helps explain the event; it is another biblical account, not independent archaeological confirmation.
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 How can we make good use of having a Bible in our home?
AnswerWe can read it together and respond to what God says, including when it exposes something we need to change. Judah's possession of the temple did not make disobedience harmless.
What This Means for Us
A family can own a Bible, attend church, and still accept habits that contradict what God says. Those good gifts are invitations to know and obey Him; possessing them does not excuse dishonesty, cruelty, or divided worship.
If a familiar routine has become a substitute for listening to God, admit it to Him. The account in Chronicles gives us reason to do so with hope: the LORD sees Rehoboam and the leaders humble themselves, and He shows them mercy.
Prayer
LORD, thank You for giving us Your word and a place among Your people. Forgive us when we take those gifts for granted. Help us receive correction, turn from sin, and seek Your mercy. Amen.