Rehoboam's Apostasy
After Rehoboam had established his sovereignty and royal power, he and all Israel with him forsook the law of the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:1). Rehoboam's abandonment of God's law led to dire consequences for the nation.

Divine Judgment
God allowed Shishak, king of Egypt, to invade Judah as a consequence of their unfaithfulness (2 Chronicles 12:2-4). This invasion was a direct result of their spiritual decline.

Prophetic Warning
The prophet Shemaiah delivered God's message to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah, highlighting their abandonment of God and the resulting judgment (2 Chronicles 12:5).

Humility and Repentance
The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, 'The LORD is righteous' (2 Chronicles 12:6). Their humility led to a measure of deliverance.

Partial Deliverance
God granted them some relief, but not complete freedom, as a reminder of their need for dependence on Him (2 Chronicles 12:7-8).

Rehoboam's Legacy
Despite moments of humility, Rehoboam's reign was marked by continual evil because he did not set his heart to seek the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:14).Guard Against Complacency
Success can lead to spiritual complacency. We must remain vigilant in our devotion to God, regardless of our circumstances.

Heed Prophetic Warnings
Be attentive to God's warnings through His Word and His messengers. Ignoring them can lead to severe consequences.

Embrace Humility
When confronted with sin, respond with humility and repentance, acknowledging God's righteousness.

Seek God Wholeheartedly
Make a conscious effort to set your heart to seek the Lord consistently, ensuring that your relationship with Him remains strong.1. Rehoboam
Rehoboam was the king of Judah and the son of Solomon. He is central to the events of 2 Chronicles 12, where he and his kingdom face the invasion of Shishak, king of Egypt. The chapter discusses his actions and the consequences of his and Judah's unfaithfulness to God.

2. Shishak
Shishak was the king of Egypt who invaded Judah during Rehoboam's reign. He is noted for coming up against Jerusalem with a large army, as a consequence of Judah's abandonment of the law of the LORD.

3. Shemaiah
Shemaiah was a prophet who delivered God's message to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah. He warned them of the consequences of their actions and later conveyed God's message of deliverance when they humbled themselves.1. Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the central city in this chapter, where King Rehoboam reigns. It is significant as the political and spiritual center of Judah. The Hebrew root for Jerusalem is "יְרוּשָׁלַיִם" (Yerushalayim), which is often associated with peace and completeness.

2. Egypt
Egypt is mentioned as the land from which Shishak, the king, comes to attack Jerusalem. Egypt, in the biblical context, often symbolizes a place of bondage or opposition to God's people. The Hebrew name for Egypt is "מִצְרַיִם" (Mitzrayim).

3. Judah
Judah refers to the southern kingdom over which Rehoboam rules. It is one of the twelve tribes of Israel and holds significant importance as the lineage from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ come. The Hebrew root is "יְהוּדָה" (Yehudah).

4. Libnah
Libnah is one of the cities that revolted against Rehoboam's rule. It is a Levitical city located in the Shephelah region of Judah. The name in Hebrew is "לִבְנָה" (Libnah), meaning "whiteness."1. Rehoboam's Apostasy
Rehoboam and all Israel abandon the law of the LORD. This apostasy occurs after Rehoboam's kingdom is established and strong. The Hebrew root for "abandon" (עָזַב, `azab) implies a forsaking or leaving behind, indicating a deliberate turning away from God's commandments.

2. Shishak's Invasion
In the fifth year of King Rehoboam's reign, Shishak, king of Egypt, attacks Jerusalem because they had been unfaithful to the LORD. The text highlights the consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness, as Shishak comes with a massive army, including chariots and horsemen.

3. Prophet Shemaiah's Message
The prophet Shemaiah delivers a message from the LORD to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah, stating, "You have abandoned Me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak." The Hebrew word for "abandon" (עָזַב, `azab) is used again, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of their actions.

4. Humbling of the Leaders
The leaders of Israel and the king humble themselves, acknowledging, "The LORD is righteous." This act of humility is crucial, as it demonstrates their recognition of God's justice and their own wrongdoing.

5. Partial Deliverance
Because they humbled themselves, the LORD decides not to destroy them completely. Instead, He grants them some deliverance, allowing them to become subjects of Shishak so they may learn the difference between serving God and serving earthly rulers.

6. Shishak's Plunder
Shishak plunders the treasures of the house of the LORD and the king's house, including the gold shields Solomon had made. This event signifies the loss of glory and wealth due to their unfaithfulness.

7. Rehoboam's Replacement Shields
Rehoboam replaces the gold shields with bronze ones, a symbol of diminished splendor and a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God.

8. Rehoboam's Reign Summary
The chapter concludes with a summary of Rehoboam's reign, noting that he did evil because he did not set his heart to seek the LORD. The Hebrew word for "set" (כּוּן, kun) implies establishing or preparing, indicating a failure to firmly commit to following God.

9. Death of Rehoboam
Rehoboam's death is recorded, and he is buried in the City of David. His son Abijah succeeds him as king, continuing the lineage of David despite the challenges faced during Rehoboam's reign.Deuteronomy 8:11-14
A warning against forgetting God in times of prosperity.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'

1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.Pray for a heart that remains faithful to God in both prosperity and adversity.
Ask for the humility to recognize and repent of any areas of spiritual complacency.
Seek God's guidance to set your heart to seek Him daily.
Pray for wisdom to heed God's warnings and align your life with His will.

1. How does Rehoboam's abandonment of God's law apply to our lives today? Are there areas in your life where you've forsaken God's teachings?

2. Discuss the consequences of Rehoboam's actions. How do these consequences compare with outcomes of disobedience in modern times?

3. Why do you think it took an invasion for Rehoboam to realize his mistakes?

4. Discuss the role of the prophet Shemaiah in this chapter. How do prophetic voices manifest in today's society?

5. How can we apply the leaders' humble response to their wrongdoing in our own lives when confronted with our mistakes?

6. Why do you think God chose to make the Israelites Shishak's servants rather than destroy them entirely?

7. How does this chapter depict God's mercy and justice? How can we reconcile the two?

8. Shishak took treasures from the temple and the palace. Discuss the significance of these treasures and their loss.

9. In what ways did Rehoboam demonstrate humility, and how did this impact the course of events?

10. Despite his deeds, the text says there were still some good things in Judah. How does this speak to the possibility of redemption and positive qualities amidst failures?

11. Reflect on the statement, "they will learn the difference between serving me and serving earthly kingdoms." How does this resonate with your personal faith journey?

12. How might have Rehoboam's leadership been different if he had adhered to God's laws?

13. In what ways can the story of Rehoboam and Shishak guide our personal and collective actions?

14. How does the principle of divine retribution presented in this chapter apply to our world today?

15. Discuss how repentance is portrayed in this chapter and its importance in the Christian faith.

16. What can Rehoboam's reign teach us about the importance of a leader's spiritual life on their governance?

17. How does the story of Rehoboam's fall and partial redemption mirror our own spiritual journeys?

18. How does God's response to the humility and repentance of Rehoboam and the leaders of Israel affect your understanding of God's character?

19. How can we ensure that we learn from our mistakes, as the Israelites were meant to learn from their servitude?

20. How does this chapter shape your understanding of the relationship between obedience, sin, repentance, and divine mercy?