2 Chronicles 12 describes the reign of King Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, and the consequences of his actions when he abandons the law of the Lord.

1. Rehoboam’s Unfaithfulness (Verses 1-4): After Rehoboam’s rule is established and strengthened, he and all Israel abandon the law of the Lord (v. 1). As a result, Shishak, the king of Egypt, invades Jerusalem with a massive army (v. 2-4).
2. The Prophet Shemaiah’s Warning (Verses 5-8): The prophet Shemaiah comes to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah and tells them that because they have abandoned God, He has abandoned them to Shishak (v. 5). The leaders of Israel humble themselves and acknowledge that “the Lord is righteous” (v. 6). Because of their repentance, God decides not to destroy them completely but allows them to become servants of Shishak to learn the difference between serving God and serving foreign kings (v. 7-8).
3. Shishak’s Invasion and Plundering (Verses 9-12): Shishak invades Jerusalem and takes away the treasures of the house of the Lord and the king’s palace, including the gold shields Solomon had made (v. 9). Rehoboam replaces them with bronze shields and continues to reign, although his kingdom is diminished (v. 10-11). Due to Rehoboam’s humility, God’s wrath is not fully poured out on Judah, and some good is found in the kingdom (v. 12).
4. Rehoboam’s Reign and Death (Verses 13-16): Rehoboam strengthens his position in Jerusalem, reigning for seventeen years (v. 13). Despite some moments of humility, his overall reign is marked by evil because “he did not set his heart to seek the Lord” (v. 14). Rehoboam dies and is succeeded by his son Abijah (v. 15-16).

Life Applications from 2 Chronicles 12

1. Faithfulness to God (Verse 1): Rehoboam’s story highlights the importance of remaining faithful to God. When Rehoboam and Israel forsook God’s law, they faced serious consequences. This serves as a reminder that turning away from God can lead to difficulties and challenges. Faithfulness to God and His commandments should be a priority in our lives.
2. The Importance of Humility and Repentance (Verses 6-7): When confronted by their sins through the prophet Shemaiah, Rehoboam and the leaders humbled themselves and acknowledged their wrongdoing. This act of humility softened God’s judgment. It reminds us that God is merciful and willing to forgive when we repent and humble ourselves before Him.
3. God’s Discipline as a Learning Experience (Verse 8): God allowed Judah to be subjected to Shishak as a means of teaching them the difference between serving Him and serving foreign rulers. This suggests that God’s discipline, while painful, is intended to teach us and draw us back to a faithful relationship with Him. We should view trials and challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.
4. Superficial Changes vs. Heart Change (Verses 10-14): Rehoboam’s replacement of the gold shields with bronze ones represents a superficial attempt to maintain appearances without addressing the underlying issues. Similarly, we must not settle for outward changes in our lives but seek genuine transformation of the heart. True change comes from setting our hearts to seek the Lord consistently, not just in moments of crisis.
5. The Lasting Impact of Leadership (Verses 14-16): Rehoboam’s failure to seek the Lord wholeheartedly had a lasting impact on his kingdom and his legacy. This shows the importance of godly leadership and the responsibility leaders have to guide others in faithfulness. As leaders in various capacities, we should strive to set a positive example by seeking God with all our hearts.