A Journey Through The Old Testament - Elmer Towns

are not certain if Shishak, or Sheshenq I (as he is known to contemporary Egyptologists), began
the Twenty-second Dynasty by conquering the preceding dynasty, or if he acquired the throne by
marriage to an Egyptian princess. Shishak was the Pharaoh under which Jeroboam found
protection in the latter years of Solomon’s reign and appears to have formed some kind of
alliance with the Northern Kingdom according to the engraved record of his reign on the south
wall of the Temple of Amon at Karnak. In Shishak’s mind, an invasion of Judah would not only
further his ambition to control Asia, but may have been a demonstration of Egypt’s solidarity
with Jeroboam’s Northern Kingdom.
Judah was overwhelmed as they witnessed the invasion of Shishak and his alliance army
of 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and a vast number of additional foot soldiers. The cities
Rehoboam had fortified were seized, and the army was close to taking all Judah. As the army
approached Jerusalem, Shemaiah the prophet approached Rehoboam with a message from God.
The prophet explained to the king that this invasion of Judah was the hand of God against Judah
for her sin. The simple message resulted in an expression of some degree of repentance by the
king. His acknowledgement of the righteousness of God in this invasion probably resulted in the
sparing of his life. God determined to give Judah a degree of deliverance from Egypt. But
Rehoboam’s repentance came so late that Shishak still plundered much of the wealth of Judah,
the palace, and temple, including the gold shields of Solomon.
Rehoboam continued to reign in Jerusalem another twelve years after the Egyptian
invasion but soon returned to his old ways. “And he did evil, because he did not prepare his heart
to seek the Lord” (2 Chron. 12:14). His reign lasted a total of seventeen years (931-913 B. c.)
and was characterized by constant battles with Jeroboam. When he died, his son Abijah inherited
the throne of David.
PERSPECTIVE
With the privilege of leadership comes the responsibility of leading wisely. As
Solomon’s reign came to an end, Israel was divided into two kingdoms because of the lack of
wisdom demonstrated on the throne. In the remaining years of both the Northern and Southern
Kingdoms, wisdom was often lacking on the throne. They failed to respond to the directive of the
proverbs, a directive which helps people today exert a positive influence in their sphere of
influence. “Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding”
(Prov. 4:7).
FORTY-ONE
KING ASA AND THE KINGS
OF THE NORTH:
Judah’s Stability and Israel’s Wandering
(1 Kings 15:9-16:28; 2 Chronicles 14:2-16:14)
Asa was a godly king who took the throne of Judah and strengthened the southern tribes.
Israel in the north had a series of ungodly kings who continued to wander from God. In fact,
during the reign of Asa in Judah, no fewer than six men served as king over the Northern