Shishak

Shishak is a king of Egypt whose reign overlaps the close of Solomon's kingship and the early years of Rehoboam. He gives Jeroboam asylum during Solomon's lifetime and, in Rehoboam's fifth year, leads a campaign up against Jerusalem.

Asylum for Jeroboam

When Solomon moves against Jeroboam, the latter flees south: "Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam; but Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon" (1 Kings 11:40).

The Invasion of Judah

In Rehoboam's fifth year, with the kingdom now divided, Shishak comes up against Jerusalem. The Kings notice gives the bare event: "And it came to pass in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem; and he took away the treasures of the house of Yahweh, 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 14:25-26).

The Chronicler frames the same campaign as judgment on covenant abandonment: "And it came to pass when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established, and he was strong, that he forsook the law of Yahweh, and all Israel with him" (2 Chr 12:1). The invasion follows: "And it came to pass in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had trespassed against Yahweh," (2 Chr 12:2). The force is large — "with twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen. And the people were without number who came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians" (2 Chr 12:3) — and Shishak takes the fortified cities of Judah and reaches Jerusalem itself (2 Chr 12:4).

Shemaiah and Repentance

The prophet Shemaiah delivers the divine reading of the moment: "Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, who were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, Thus says Yahweh, You⁺ have forsaken me, therefore I have also left you⁺ in the hand of Shishak" (2 Chr 12:5). Rehoboam and the princes humble themselves and acknowledge, "Yahweh is righteous" (2 Chr 12:6). Yahweh's reply through the prophet softens the threat without lifting it: "They have humbled themselves: I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Nevertheless they will be his slaves, that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries" (2 Chr 12:7-8).

The Plunder of Jerusalem

The Chronicler then narrates what Kings reported in summary: "So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of Yahweh, and the treasures of the king's house: he took all away: he took away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made" (2 Chr 12:9).