Charles Spurgeon Commentary 2 Chronicles 12
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
2 Chronicles 12
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
2 Chronicles 12
Commentary Groups
This author has written multiple commentaries over their lifetime on this chapter. We have grouped their commentaries for easier reading."And it came to pass, when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established, and he was strong, that he forsook the law of Jehovah, and all Israel with him." — 2 Chronicles 12:1 (ASV)
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.
They prospered, at first, by adhering to Jehovah. The good people from the neighboring land of Israel emigrated to them, strengthening them, but as soon as they grew strong, they forsook the law of Jehovah.
"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 Jehovah," — 2 Chronicles 12:2 (ASV)
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,
Shishak did not know that fact, nor did he care about Jehovah.
God so ruled in providence that, when his people cast him off, he soon found a rod with which to chasten them. The king of Egypt determined to conquer them. You do not know, my friends, how God will strike you; but if you stray from his statutes, he will never be long without a rod. You will bring chastisement on yourself if you depart from the living God. You will have yourself to blame if some dire affliction happens to you.
"with twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen. And the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians." — 2 Chronicles 12:3 (ASV)
With twelve hundred chariots, and sixty thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.
This vast crowd consumed everything. The rule was to billet their troops on the enemy.
They would devour everything edible throughout the whole country.
"And it came to pass, when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established, and he was strong, that he forsook the law of Jehovah, and all Israel with him." — 2 Chronicles 12:1 (ASV)
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.
He was not able to endure the perils of prosperity. He forgot the Lord who had caused him to prosper; and, in the pride of his heart, he turned aside to idols.
"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 Jehovah," — 2 Chronicles 12:2 (ASV)
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,
That was not Shishak's reason for coming up against Jerusalem.
He had heard of the riches of Solomon; and doubtless, he came for the sake of the spoil which the palace and the temple would yield to him. But God often overrules, for the accomplishment of his own purposes, the lower motives of men. I girded you, he said of Cyrus, though you have not known me. So did he gird Shishak for the chastisement of Israel, though Shishak did not know him.
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