[[2 Chron-12]] Prev: [[Prophecies in 2 Chron-11]] | Next: [[Prophecies in 2 Chron-13]] --- ### Yahweh says, 'You have forsaken me, therefore I have also left you in the hand of Shishak.' *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: The prophet Shemaiah delivers a divine decree that because King Rehoboam and Judah abandoned God's law, God has abandoned them to the military power of the Egyptian King Shishak. *Historical context*: Shishak is identified by historians and archaeologists as Pharaoh Sheshonq I, the founder of the 22nd Dynasty of Egypt. He conducted a major military campaign in the Levant around 925–926 BCE, which is documented on the 'Bubastite Portal' at the Temple of Amun in Karnak. This inscription lists over 150 towns that he claimed to have conquered or subjected during this campaign. *Related to*: ### They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath won't be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Nevertheless they will be his servants, that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries. *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: Following the repentance of the leaders, God promises that Jerusalem will not be completely destroyed. However, He predicts that the people will become subjects/vassals of Egypt so they can understand the difference between serving God and serving foreign earthly rulers. *Historical context*: Historical and archaeological evidence suggests that while Sheshonq I's campaign was extensive and destructive to many fortified cities in Judah and Israel, Jerusalem was not razed. Most scholars believe the city was spared because Rehoboam paid a massive tribute of treasures from the Temple and the royal palace, effectively making Judah an Egyptian vassal state during this period. *Related to*: [[2 Chron-12#v5|2 Chronicles 12:5]] ### So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem and took away the treasures of Yahweh's house and the treasures of the king's house. He took it all away. He also took away the shields of gold which Solomon had made. King Rehoboam made shields of bronze in their place... When he humbled himself, Yahweh's wrath turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether. *Type*: fulfillment *Summary*: The invasion concludes with Shishak plundering the immense wealth of Solomon’s Temple and the palace but leaving the city intact. The kingdom survives but is impoverished, as evidenced by Rehoboam replacing Solomon's gold shields with bronze ones. *Historical context*: The Bubastite Portal at Karnak corroborates the timeline and the reality of Sheshonq I's campaign in the fifth year of Rehoboam. While the list of conquered cities is partially damaged, the archaeological record of destruction layers at sites like Megiddo (where a victory stele of Sheshonq was found) confirms the Egyptian dominance described. The shift from gold to bronze shields reflects the historical economic decline of the Judean monarchy following the loss of the United Monarchy's wealth to Egypt. *Related to*: [[2 Chron-12#v5|2 Chronicles 12:5]], [[2 Chron-12#v7|2 Chronicles 12:7]]-8 --- #ai_prophecy