2 Chronicles 12

And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.

Once Rehoboam had secured his reign and gained power, he abandoned God's laws, leading all of Israel astray with him.

And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD,

In the fifth year of King Rehoboam's reign, King Shishak of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. This happened because they had disobeyed God.

With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.

He arrived with a mighty force of 1,200 chariots and 60,000 horsemen, an army so vast it was impossible to count. They were a diverse crowd, hailing from Egypt, including the Lubims, Sukkiims, and Ethiopians.

And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.

He courageously claimed the fortified cities belonging to Judah, and finally, he arrived in Jerusalem.

Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.

Shemaiah, the prophet, approached Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah, who had gathered in Jerusalem due to Shishak's threat. He delivered God's message to them, "You've abandoned me, so now I have abandoned you into Shishak's hands."

Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous.

In a moment of humility, the leaders of Israel and the king bowed their heads, acknowledging with deep conviction, "Indeed, the LORD is just."

And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

Seeing their sincere humility, God felt compassion. He spoke to Shemaiah, "They've shown true humility, so I won't destroy them. Instead, I'll provide a way out. My anger won't rain down on Jerusalem through Shishak."

Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.

Despite everything, they will serve him, so they can truly understand what it means to serve me and the nations around them.

So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king’s house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

Shishak, the Egyptian king, invaded Jerusalem. He looted all the sacred and royal treasures, even the golden shields crafted by Solomon. His greed left nothing behind.

Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king’s house.

King Rehoboam replaced the golden shields with ones made of brass, entrusting them to the head of his guards who protected the royal residence.

And when the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard chamber.

As the king stepped into the Lord's sanctuary, the guards swiftly escorted them, returning them safely to their watch room.

And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, that he would not destroy him altogether: and also in Judah things went well.

When he lowered his pride, God's anger subsided, sparing him from total ruin. Things also improved in Judah.

So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother’s name was Naamah an Ammonitess.

King Rehoboam, at the age of 41, found his strength in Jerusalem and began his reign. He ruled for 17 years in Jerusalem, a city chosen by God himself from all of Israel's tribes to bear His name. His mother, Naamah, was of Ammonite descent.

And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

He acted wrongly, for his heart was not ready to pursue God.

Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.

Isn't the life story of Rehoboam, from beginning to end, recorded by prophets Shemaiah and Iddo? They wrote about his family lineage too. Rehoboam and Jeroboam were always at war with each other.

And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.

Rehoboam joined his ancestors in eternal rest, laid to peace in the city of David. His son, Abijah, bravely stepped up to rule in his place.