2 Chronicles 12:9-10
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It's easy to focus on the judgment of the stolen treasures, but notice Shishak specifically plundered the gold shields Solomon made. This wasn't just about wealth; it was a symbolic stripping away of Israel's strength and a reminder that their security wasn't in their human achievements or gilded defenses, but solely in their covenant with God.
So 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 the shields of gold that Solomon had made, and King Rehoboam made in their place shields of bronze and committed them to the hands of the officers of the guard, who kept the door of the king’s house.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Solomon's son Rehoboam's foolish decisions led to the division of the kingdom, Judah, the southern tribe, was left vulnerable. Shishak, the powerful king of Egypt, seizes this opportunity to invade, plundering Jerusalem and stripping away the sacred treasures of God's temple and the royal palace. This invasion serves as a stark divine judgment for Israel's turning away from God, a consequence that continues to unfold in the subsequent verses.
Why did the mighty Egyptian army march on Jerusalem, taking everything they could? This wasn't a random attack, but a direct consequence of the choices made by Israel's leaders.
The Cost of Divided Loyalty
Shishak, the king of Egypt, saw an opportunity to exploit a weakened Israel. His invasion in 2 Chronicles 12:9 wasn't just a military conquest; it was a divine judgment set in motion by Rehoboam's spiritual compromise. When Rehoboam and the leaders of Israel humbled themselves before God (after Shishak's invasion), God granted them a measure of reprieve, showing that true security comes from obedience. However, the initial invasion and the plundering of the temple and palace underscore the devastating consequences of turning away from the Lord.
The treasures taken weren't just generic riches; they included the magnificent golden shields made by Solomon. What does this symbolic loss tell us about Jerusalem's spiritual state?
The Emptiness of Idolatrous Wealth
Solomon's golden shields represented the glory, security, and perhaps even the divine protection associated with his reign, a time when Israel walked closely with God. However, by the time of Rehoboam, these symbols of past faithfulness became spoils for an invading army. Shishak's taking of everything, including these specific treasures, signifies how easily the things we hold dear, even those dedicated to God, can be lost when our covenant loyalty falters. It’s a stark reminder that true security is not in material wealth or past glories, but in present obedience to the Lord.
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Understand the original words
otsar · Hebrew Noun
Valuables, wealth, or riches, often used to refer to items consecrated for holy use in the Temple or the resources accumulated by royal power.
magen · Hebrew Noun
Defensive armor used to protect the body, representing the strength and security of a nation or an individual’s faith. The shift from gold to bronze symbolizes a loss of glory and divine favor.
This invasion by Shishak, a powerful Egyptian Pharaoh, serves as a stark, divinely ordained consequence for Judah's spiritual unfaithfulness under King Rehoboam. It highlights how national prosperity and security are directly tied to obedience to God.
c. 931 BC
Death of Solomon, Kingdom Splits
Following Solomon's reign and his sin, the united kingdom of Israel splits into two: the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah). Rehoboam, Solomon's son, becomes king of Judah.
c. 925 BC
Reign of Rehoboam in Judah
Rehoboam, son of Solomon, rules over Judah. He begins by following his father's ways but later turns from God, leading Judah to apostasy.
c. 925 BC— this verse
Shishak's Invasion of Judah
Shishak I, the first king of Egypt's 22nd Dynasty, launches a major military campaign into Judah and the surrounding territories, capturing numerous cities.
c. 925 BC
Jerusalem Sacked by Shishak
Shishak's army reaches and sacks Jerusalem, plundering the Temple and the royal palace of their precious treasures, including the golden shields made by Solomon.
c. 925 BC
Shishak's Egyptian Campaign Recorded
Shishak proudly records his campaign on the Bubastite Portal in the Temple of Karnak, listing many of the cities he conquered in Israel and Judah, though Jerusalem is not explicitly named.
This passage describes the same invasion by Shishak, providing context for why he attacked Jerusalem and highlighting Pharaoh's military might.
1 Kings 10:16-17This passage details the vast quantities of gold shields Solomon had made, directly connecting to the specific items plundered by Shishak mentioned in 2 Chronicles.
Jeremiah 52:17-23This passage recounts the plundering of Jerusalem's treasures by the Babylonians centuries later, showing a recurring pattern of nations stripping the Temple and the city of its wealth due to disobedience.
Psalm 22:6-8This psalm expresses the anguish of the suffering servant, which can be seen as a prophetic foreshadowing of the humiliation and loss experienced by God's people and His dwelling place when they fall out of favor.
It's easy to focus on the judgment of the stolen treasures, but notice Shishak specifically plundered the gold shields Solomon made. This wasn't just about wealth; it was a symbolic stripping away of Israel's strength and a reminder that their security wasn't in their human achievements or gilded defenses, but solely in their covenant with God.
After Solomon's son Rehoboam's foolish decisions led to the division of the kingdom, Judah, the southern tribe, was left vulnerable. Shishak, the powerful king of Egypt, seizes this opportunity to invade, plundering Jerusalem and stripping away the sacred treasures of God's temple and the royal palace. This invasion serves as a stark divine judgment for Israel's turning away from God, a consequence that continues to unfold in the subsequent verses.
After Solomon's son Rehoboam's foolish decisions led to the division of the kingdom, Judah, the southern tribe, was left vulnerable. Shishak, the powerful king of Egypt, seizes this opportunity to invade, plundering Jerusalem and stripping away the sacred treasures of God's temple and the royal palace. This invasion serves as a stark divine judgment for Israel's turning away from God, a consequence that continues to unfold in the subsequent verses.
"So 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 the shields of gold that Solomon had made, and King R…" — It's easy to focus on the judgment of the stolen treasures, but notice Shishak specifically plundered the gold shields Solomon made. This wasn't just about wealth; it was a symbolic stripping away of…
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Last reviewed October 2026
