Study notes

2 Chronicles 12

Introducing 2 ChroniclesWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

10:1–12:16 Section

1 Chronicles doesn’t follow the kings of the northern kingdom. They are only mentioned in events that have to do with the southern kingdom. This is because the northern kingdom refused to follow the royal family of David. And they didn’t obey the laws in the Mount Sinai covenant about worshipping only God.

Many priests and Levites left the northern kingdom. They left because they couldn’t serve God the way they were supposed to. Jeroboam wouldn’t allow them to. These priests and Levites moved to the southern kingdom. There they were allowed to do the work they had been set apart to do.

Israelites from other tribes in the northern kingdom also moved to Judah. They moved so that they could worship God with all their heart. For some time the people of the southern kingdom remained faithful to God. But Rehoboam stopped following David’s example. Then the people of Judah followed Rehoboam’s example of not being faithful to God.

God sent messages through prophets when kings of the southern kingdom were unfaithful to him. Sometimes the kings listened to the prophets. Rehoboam and Israel’s leaders listened to the prophet Shemaiah’s warnings. They made themselves humble again before God. They weren’t destroyed by the king of Egypt. But they did have to serve him as their master. This was one of the covenant curses. It happened to the southern kingdom because Rehoboam had stopped worshipping God with all his heart.

12:1–2

The book of Kings does not give a religious reason for Egypt's invasion. However, the Chronicler explains that the Egyptians attacked Jerusalem because Rehoboam broke the covenant and defied the Lord.

12:2–4

Shishak, also called Shoshenq I, ruled a unified Egypt from 945 to 924 BC and started the 22nd dynasty.

12:3

  • Sukkites are not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. However, Egyptian history identifies them as Libyans from the western desert oases.

  • Cushites: Shishak was an Ethiopian from southern Egypt.

12:6–7

Shemaiah's speech outlines the elements needed in Solomon's prayer during the temple's dedication (2 Chronicles 7:14). The leaders of Israel humbled themselves, and Jerusalem was spared from judgment.

12:9–11

Rehoboam faced punishment for his disobedience through the looting of the royal treasuries and the temple. The guard used to carry gold shields when accompanying the king from the palace to the temple. The royal processions lost much of their splendor when they replaced the gold shields with bronze ones (compare 2 Chronicles 9:15–16). These bronze shields were safely stored in the large armory Solomon had built (2 Chronicles 8:6).

12:12

When Rehoboam repented, God allowed good things to stay in Jerusalem:

  • The people's repentance

  • Their decision to seek the Lord

  • The continuation of worship (see 2 Chronicles 19:3)

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources