2 Chronicles 12:9 – “When Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem, he carried off the treasures of the temple of the Lord and the treasures of the royal palace. He took everything, including the gold shields Solomon had made.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse describes the aftermath of Shishak’s invasion of Jerusalem. Although Judah had humbled themselves before God, which prevented their complete destruction, Shishak still plundered the city. The treasures of the temple and the royal palace were taken, including the gold shields that King Solomon had made during his reign. This loss symbolized more than just a financial hit—it was a sign of the nation’s spiritual decline and the tangible consequence of abandoning God.
The gold shields were a representation of Solomon’s wealth and wisdom, and losing them to a foreign power symbolized a loss of glory and protection. This event highlighted the vulnerability that Judah experienced because of their unfaithfulness to God, even though they were not utterly destroyed.
Historical Context
This event took place during the reign of King Rehoboam, the son of Solomon. After Solomon’s death, the kingdom of Israel split into two: the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Rehoboam ruled over Judah, but his leadership led the people into idolatry and disobedience to God.
In response to their unfaithfulness, God allowed Shishak, the king of Egypt, to invade Judah. Shishak was a powerful ruler who saw an opportunity to assert control over Judah and plunder its wealth. Although Judah’s leaders humbled themselves before God, leading to some mercy from Him, they still faced the consequences of their earlier rebellion. Shishak entered Jerusalem and carried off valuable treasures, including items from the temple that were supposed to symbolize God’s presence and favor.
The fact that the treasures of both the temple and the royal palace were taken indicates that the heart of the nation—its spiritual and political power—was deeply impacted by this event.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse illustrates that there are real consequences to turning away from God. Even though Judah’s repentance spared them from total destruction, the loss of the treasures reminds us that sin often leaves scars. God’s mercy is real, but it doesn’t always erase the earthly consequences of our actions.
The looting of the temple’s treasures also serves as a stark reminder that material wealth and symbols of power are fleeting. What truly matters is a nation’s or person’s faithfulness to God. When the people of Judah turned away from God, the symbols of their former glory—the gold shields and the treasures—became vulnerable to destruction and theft. This underscores the biblical truth that without God’s protection, even the strongest earthly defenses are inadequate.
This event also serves as a humbling lesson: material wealth, no matter how grand, cannot replace a relationship with God. Even Solomon’s lavish temple and royal palace could not protect Judah when the people had abandoned God’s commands.
Literary Analysis
The verse uses concise and stark language to convey the devastation of Shishak’s attack. The repetition of “treasures” underscores the extent of the loss—this was not just a minor defeat but a significant plundering of the nation’s most prized possessions. The reference to the gold shields specifically ties back to Solomon’s reign, reminding readers of how far Judah had fallen from the height of its glory under Solomon’s leadership.
The phrase “he took everything” reinforces the completeness of the looting. Shishak’s invasion wasn’t just a small raid; it was a thorough stripping away of Judah’s wealth, leaving them exposed and humiliated.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- 1 Kings 14:25-26: This passage also recounts the invasion of Shishak and the looting of Jerusalem, providing additional details about the extent of the damage.
- Deuteronomy 28:47-48: In this passage, God warns the Israelites that if they turn away from Him, they will serve their enemies in hunger, thirst, and nakedness. The invasion by Shishak is a fulfillment of this warning, showing the consequences of abandoning God.
- Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” This passage highlights the futility of relying on earthly wealth, a lesson that Judah learned the hard way when their treasures were taken.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse serves as a reminder that earthly treasures and symbols of success are fleeting. No matter how secure we think we are, our material possessions and even our positions of power can be lost in an instant if we are not rooted in God. This challenges us to evaluate where we place our trust. Are we trusting in our wealth, our status, or our security, or are we trusting in God?
This verse also teaches that repentance is crucial, but it doesn’t mean that we won’t face consequences for our actions. While God is merciful and forgiving, the choices we make can still leave lasting effects on our lives. However, even in those consequences, God is present and can use them to draw us back to Himself.
We are reminded, too, that the true treasures we should seek are spiritual—things that cannot be taken by anyone, like faith, love, and obedience to God.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
At first glance, this verse may seem to focus solely on judgment and loss, but God’s love is present even in this moment. While Shishak was allowed to loot Jerusalem, God’s mercy prevented the total destruction of the city. The fact that the people humbled themselves and God responded by sparing them shows His loving nature. Even when we face the consequences of our actions, God’s love is still at work, guiding us back to Him.
God’s love is also evident in His desire to teach Judah an important lesson through this loss. He didn’t let them continue in their rebellion unchecked. Instead, He allowed them to experience the consequences of their actions so that they might learn to depend on Him alone, not on their wealth or past achievements.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse points us toward Jesus Christ, who came to restore what was lost due to sin. Just as Judah’s treasures were carried away by Shishak, humanity’s spiritual riches were lost due to sin. However, Jesus came to bring ultimate restoration. In Christ, we find the true treasure that cannot be taken away—the treasure of eternal life and a restored relationship with God.
Jesus also warns us, as seen in Matthew 6:19-21, that earthly treasures will fade but the spiritual treasures we gain through following Him are eternal. Just as Judah lost their material wealth when they abandoned God, we must remember that nothing on earth can provide lasting security except for the salvation we have in Christ.
Furthermore, Jesus provides the ultimate protection that Judah sought in their treasures. John 10:28-29 tells us that no one can snatch us out of the Father’s hand when we are in Christ. Unlike the gold shields and treasures of the temple, the salvation and life Jesus offers are secure forever.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does this verse teach us about the consequences of turning away from God?
- How can we guard against placing too much trust in material possessions or symbols of success?
- In what ways does this passage challenge us to focus on spiritual treasures rather than earthly wealth?
- How does God’s mercy shine through, even when we face the consequences of our actions?
- How does this verse point us toward the lasting security and treasure that we find in Jesus Christ?
This verse reminds us that earthly treasures are fragile and fleeting, but God’s love and mercy endure. Through Jesus, we find true and lasting treasure that cannot be taken away, offering us eternal security in the face of life’s uncertainties.