1 Kings 14:25-26
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It's easy to just see this as a historical marker, but "came up against" in the original language carries a sense of invasion and conquest, not just a visit. This wasn't a diplomatic trip; Shishak was literally bringing the might of Egypt to bear on Jerusalem.
In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem. He took away the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s house. He took away everything. He also took away all the shields of gold that Solomon had made,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse kicks off a significant event: the first major foreign invasion of the united kingdom's territory after the division. Rehoboam, the king of Judah, is ruling in Jerusalem, and suddenly the mighty Egyptian empire, under King Shishak, is marching on his capital, seeking plunder and power. This invasion sets a precedent for future foreign entanglements and underscores the fragility of Judah's security, directly leading to the stripping of the temple treasures to appease the invaders.
Jerusalem, the holy city, was never meant to be isolated. It sat at a crossroads, vulnerable to the powers of the ancient world. This verse shows us a moment when those powers came knocking.
A World Stage
This verse places us squarely on the geopolitical stage of the ancient Near East. Shishak, also known as Shoshenq I, was a powerful pharaoh who led a significant military campaign. His invasion of the Kingdom of Judah, with Jerusalem as its capital, wasn't just a random raid; it was a strategic move by a dominant empire seeking to assert control and plunder wealth. This event would have sent shockwaves through Judah, testing their faith and their king's leadership.
Jerusalem wasn't just a city; it was the heart of Israel's worship and the dwelling place of God's name. An attack here was an assault on everything they held sacred. What led to this vulnerability?
The Consequences of Disobedience
King Rehoboam, Solomon's son, inherited a divided kingdom and made choices that weakened Judah significantly. His own spiritual wavering and the people's turn to idolatry, as detailed in the preceding chapters, paved the way for Shishak's invasion. The treasures of the Temple, which should have been protected by faithfulness, were plundered. This wasn't just a military defeat; it was a spiritual consequence, a stark reminder that national security is deeply tied to covenant faithfulness.
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Understand the original words
ôtsâr · Hebrew Noun
Materials stored or preserved for their value or significance. In the Bible, these often represent the wealth of a nation or temple, and their removal signifies judgment, defeat, or loss of divine blessing.
bayith / Yahweh · Hebrew Noun phrase
The central place of worship for Israel, dedicated to Yahweh. It symbolizes God’s presence among His people and represents the holiness of the nation's spiritual life.
mâgên · Hebrew Noun
Protective gear used in battle; biblically, shields are often used metaphorically to represent God's protection or the defensive status of a king/nation. In this context, the transition from gold to bronze symbolizes the decline of the glory and wealth of the Davidic monarchy.
This invasion by the Egyptian Pharaoh Shishak was a devastating blow to the young, divided kingdom of Judah, highlighting its vulnerability and the consequences of internal division shortly after its formation.
c. 970 BC
Death of Solomon, Divided Kingdom
Upon Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam's harsh response to the people's grievances led to the northern ten tribes revolting, splitting the united kingdom into Israel (north) and Judah (south). Rehoboam ruled the southern kingdom of Judah.
c. 950–930 BC
Reign of Shishak I (Sheshonq I)
Shishak I, also known as Shishak, was the founder of the 22nd Dynasty of Egypt. His reign marked a period of Egyptian resurgence and military activity.
c. 935 BC— this verse
Shishak's Invasion of Judah
In the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign, Shishak launched a major military campaign into the southern kingdom of Judah, capturing numerous cities and plundering Jerusalem.
c. 935 BC
Plunder of Jerusalem's Treasures
Shishak's forces entered Jerusalem and looted the Temple, taking the golden shields made by Solomon and other valuable treasures, as recorded in 1 Kings 14:26.
This passage provides a more detailed account of Shishak's invasion, including the spiritual reasons behind God allowing it and the repentance of Rehoboam and the princes.
Exodus 1:11This verse mentions Shishak's predecessor, Ramesses, who also oppressed the Israelites, drawing a thematic parallel of Egyptian dominance and its impact on the people of God.
Jeremiah 46:2This prophecy references Pharaoh Neco of Egypt's defeat at Carchemish, showing a broader biblical pattern of Egypt's interactions with Israel and Judah, often involving military conflict or political maneuvering.
Psalm 3:1-2Though not directly about Shishak, this psalm speaks to the feeling of being surrounded by enemies and crying out to God for deliverance, reflecting the kind of crisis Jerusalem faced.
It's easy to just see this as a historical marker, but "came up against" in the original language carries a sense of invasion and conquest, not just a visit. This wasn't a diplomatic trip; Shishak was literally bringing the might of Egypt to bear on Jerusalem.
This verse kicks off a significant event: the first major foreign invasion of the united kingdom's territory after the division. Rehoboam, the king of Judah, is ruling in Jerusalem, and suddenly the mighty Egyptian empire, under King Shishak, is marching on his capital, seeking plunder and power. This invasion sets a precedent for future foreign entanglements and underscores the fragility of Judah's security, directly leading to the stripping of the temple treasures to appease the invaders.
This verse kicks off a significant event: the first major foreign invasion of the united kingdom's territory after the division. Rehoboam, the king of Judah, is ruling in Jerusalem, and suddenly the mighty Egyptian empire, under King Shishak, is marching on his capital, seeking plunder and power. This invasion sets a precedent for future foreign entanglements and underscores the fragility of Judah's security, directly leading to the stripping of the temple treasures to appease the invaders.
"In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem. He took away the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s house. He took away everything. He also took away all the shields of g…" — It's easy to just see this as a historical marker, but "came up against" in the original language carries a sense of invasion and conquest, not just a visit. This wasn't a diplomatic trip; Shisha…
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Last reviewed October 2026
