1 Kings 14:26 Study Bible: and he took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he even took away all: and he took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

◄ 1 Kings 14:26 ►

He 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.

Study Bible

He seized
The Hebrew root for "seized" is "לָקַח" (laqach), which means to take, capture, or seize. This word conveys a forceful action, indicating an aggressive and deliberate act of taking possession. In the context of 1 Kings 14:26, it reflects the invasion and plundering by Shishak, the king of Egypt, who took advantage of the weakened state of Israel under Rehoboam's rule. This act of seizing symbolizes the loss of divine favor and protection that Israel experienced due to their disobedience and idolatry.

the treasures of the house of the LORD
The "house of the LORD" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, which was the central place of worship for the Israelites. The treasures within the temple were not only of great material value but also held immense spiritual significance. They represented the wealth, glory, and divine presence of God among His people. The loss of these treasures signifies a spiritual decline and a departure from the covenant relationship with God. Historically, this event marks a turning point where the splendor of Solomon's era begins to fade, highlighting the consequences of turning away from God's commandments.

and the treasures of the royal palace
The royal palace was the seat of the king's authority and power. The treasures here symbolize the wealth and stability of the kingdom. The fact that these treasures were also taken indicates a complete stripping away of both spiritual and temporal security. It serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of earthly power and riches when a nation or individual turns away from God. The historical context shows that Rehoboam's reign was marked by division and weakness, a stark contrast to the united and prosperous kingdom under Solomon.

He took everything
This phrase emphasizes the totality of the plundering. The Hebrew word "כֹּל" (kol) means "all" or "everything," underscoring the completeness of the loss. It reflects the thoroughness of Shishak's conquest and the extent of Israel's humiliation. Spiritually, it serves as a warning of the consequences of forsaking God's ways, where not just a portion, but everything can be lost when divine protection is withdrawn.

including all the gold shields that Solomon had made
The gold shields were symbols of Solomon's wealth and the glory of his reign. They were not only functional but also decorative, representing the strength and splendor of the kingdom. The fact that these specific items were taken highlights the contrast between Solomon's era of prosperity and the decline under Rehoboam. Theologically, it illustrates the fleeting nature of earthly glory and the importance of maintaining faithfulness to God. Historically, the loss of these shields would have been a significant blow to the national pride and morale of Israel, serving as a tangible reminder of their departure from God's favor.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Shishak, King of Egypt
The Pharaoh who invaded Jerusalem during the reign of Rehoboam, taking away the treasures of the temple and the royal palace.

2. Rehoboam
The son of Solomon and king of Judah, whose reign saw the division of the united kingdom and the subsequent invasion by Shishak.

3. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, where the temple and the royal palace were located, and which was plundered by Shishak.

4. The House of the LORD
Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship for the Israelites, built by Solomon.

5. The Royal Palace
The residence of the king, which housed significant wealth and treasures.

Teaching Points

The Consequences of Disobedience
Rehoboam's failure to follow God's commandments led to the loss of divine protection and the plundering of Jerusalem. This serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God.

The Fleeting Nature of Earthly Wealth
The treasures of the temple and palace, once symbols of Israel's prosperity, were easily taken away. This teaches us to prioritize spiritual wealth over material possessions.

Leadership and Responsibility
Rehoboam's poor leadership resulted in national calamity. Leaders are called to seek God's wisdom and guidance to avoid leading others into disaster.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
The invasion by Shishak was not merely a political event but a fulfillment of God's warnings. It underscores God's control over nations and His use of events to accomplish His purposes.

Repentance and Restoration
Although not detailed in this verse, the broader account encourages turning back to God in times of trouble, as He is merciful and willing to restore those who repent.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the account of Shishak's invasion in 1 Kings 14:26 illustrate the consequences of turning away from God? Can you identify similar patterns in other biblical accounts?

2. In what ways does the loss of the gold shields symbolize the spiritual decline of Israel under Rehoboam's leadership? How can we guard against spiritual decline in our own lives?

3. Compare the plundering of Jerusalem by Shishak with the Israelites' plundering of Egypt in Exodus. What lessons can we learn about God's justice and the reversal of fortunes?

4. Reflect on the importance of godly leadership as seen in the contrast between Solomon's and Rehoboam's reigns. How can we apply these lessons in our roles of influence today?

5. Considering the fleeting nature of earthly wealth, how can we better invest in spiritual treasures that are eternal? What scriptures support this perspective?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Chronicles 12:9
This passage provides a parallel account of Shishak's invasion, offering additional details about the event.

1 Kings 10:16-17
Describes the original creation of the gold shields by Solomon, highlighting the wealth and splendor of his reign.

Exodus 12:35-36
The Israelites plundering the Egyptians during the Exodus contrasts with the plundering of Jerusalem by Shishak, showing a reversal of fortunes.

Deuteronomy 28:49-52
This passage outlines the curses for disobedience, including foreign invasion and loss of wealth, which is exemplified in Rehoboam's reign.

Sermons

Unfaithfulness and its Rebuke	J. Urquhart	1 Kings 14:21-31
The Entailments of Sin	J.A. Macdonald	1 Kings 14:25-31

People

Abijah, Abijam, Ahijah, David, Israelites, Jeroboam, Naamah, Nadab, Rehoboam, Shishak, Sodomites, Solomon, Tirzah

Places

Bethel, Egypt, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Shiloh, Tirzah

Topics

Body-covers, Gold, Including, King's, Palace, Royal, Shields, Solomon, Stored, Taketh, Taking, Temple, Treasures, Wealth, Yea

Dictionary of Bible Themes

1 Kings 14:26

7245 Judah, kingdom of

Library

Synopsis. --The Gradual Narrowing of the Miraculous Element in the Bible by Recent Discovery and Discussion. --The Alarm Thereby Excited in the Church. --The Fallacy Which
It is barely forty years since that beloved and fearless Christian scholar, Dean Stanley, spoke thus of the miracles recorded of the prophet Elisha: "His works stand alone in the Bible in their likeness to the acts of mediaeval saints. There alone in the Sacred History the gulf between Biblical and Ecclesiastical miracles almost disappears."[5] It required some courage to say as much as this then, while the storm of persecution was raging against Bishop Colenso for his critical work on the Pentateuch. …
James Morris Whiton—Miracles and Supernatural Religion

Jeroboam
BY REV. ALFRED ROWLAND, D.D., LL.B. "Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin."--1 KINGS xiv. 16. Jeroboam's character is worthy of serious study, not only because it influenced the destiny of God's ancient people, but because it suggests lessons of the utmost value to His people still. He may be fairly regarded as a type of those who are successful men of the world. He was not an example of piety, for he had none--nor of lofty principle, for he was an opportunist who made expediency …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Whether Contention is a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that contention is not a mortal sin. For there is no mortal sin in spiritual men: and yet contention is to be found in them, according to Lk. 22:24: "And there was also a strife amongst" the disciples of Jesus, "which of them should . . . be the greatest." Therefore contention is not a mortal sin. Objection 2: Further, no well disposed man should be pleased that his neighbor commit a mortal sin. But the Apostle says (Phil. 1:17): "Some out of contention preach Christ," …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Divination by Drawing Lots is Unlawful?
Objection 1: It would seem that divination by drawing lots is not unlawful, because a gloss of Augustine on Ps. 30:16, "My lots are in Thy hands," says: "It is not wrong to cast lots, for it is a means of ascertaining the divine will when a man is in doubt." Objection 2: There is, seemingly, nothing unlawful in the observances which the Scriptures relate as being practiced by holy men. Now both in the Old and in the New Testament we find holy men practicing the casting of lots. For it is related …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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