REHOBOAM HUMBLED HIMSELF
2 Chronicles 12:1-16
Biblica, Inc. has prohibited me from using the NIV translation; they have chosen financial profit over the free dissemination of the Gospel. In the words of Jesus: "No one can serve two masters".
The Word of God ought to be free and accessible, especially when a publisher prides itself on the scholarly work behind its translation.
Yet these hypocritical "non-profit" organizations go to such extremes in order to raise the maximum possible donations for the purpose of distributing printed versions of their translations worldwide "free of charge," and, nevertheless, they will dispatch a cadre of attorneys to sue you and compel you to cease spreading your translation freely throughout the world. Apparently only they possess the right to do so; only they consider themselves sufficiently noble and just to engage in such acts.
Bolls.life is developed and operated at my own expense for the sake of the Gospel. I am glad to fund it personally; money is not the issue, it is my sacrifice for the Gospel. Anyone and anywhere has access to the Bible without any fee, subscription, payment, authentication or authorization, or any form of advertising — "Sola Scriptura"! I only wish that publishers would share the same intention in their hearts.
• From today onward, choose truly free translations such as YLT, WEB, ASV, KJV, NET, etc.
• Send your "blessings" to Biblica via: https://www.biblica.com/contact/.
• Share the truth about their practices. (12)
chapter 12
1. After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD.
2. Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam.
3. With twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen and the innumerable troops of Libyans, Sukkites and Cushites that came with him from Egypt,
4. he captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.
5. Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had assembled in Jerusalem for fear of Shishak, and he said to them, "This is what the LORD says, ’You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.’"
6. The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, "The LORD is just."
7. When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the LORD came to Shemaiah: "Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.
8. They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands."
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.
10. So King Rehoboam made bronze shields to replace them and assigned these to the commanders of the guard on duty at the entrance to the royal palace.
11. Whenever the king went to the LORD’s temple, the guards went with him, bearing the shields, and afterward they returned them to the guardroom.
12. Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD’s anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed. Indeed, there was some good in Judah.
13. King Rehoboam established himself firmly in Jerusalem and continued as king. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel in which to put his Name. His mother’s name was Naamah; she was an Ammonite.
14. He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD.
15. As for the events of Rehoboam’s reign, from beginning to end, are they not written in the records of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer that deal with genealogies? There was continual warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.
16. Rehoboam rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. And Abijah his son succeeded him as king.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1. When Rehoboam established a strong and secure, kingdom he forsook the law of God. God then allowed Shishak king of Egypt to attack and capture Judah’s fortified cities. The prophet Shemaiah said that God had abandoned Rehoboam to his enemies. Then Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah humbled themselves and repented. God acknowledged their repentance and spared the city of Jerusalem, but Rehoboam had to surrender to Shishak. Shishak took away all the valuables in the temple and in the palace, including all the gold shields Solomon had made. The plundering of Solomon’s golden shields revealed the immediate withdrawal of God’s shield of protection of Judah. When God’s shield was removed, Judah fell from a kingdom of honor and glory in one generation. A nation is susceptible to fall rapidly when its people abandon God. Without God’s shield of protection, nothing can prevent a nation’s downfall.
2. God spared Judah from complete destruction because of Rehoboam’s humble repentance. Rehoboam replaced the golden shields with bronze shields. Solomon’s golden splendor had gone, and Rehoboam’s bronze inferiority came because of Judah’s sin of walking away from God. Rehoboam had not set his heart on seeking God.
Prayer: Lord, my pride can lead me to rapid downfall. Help me repent and set my heart on seeking you sincerely.
One Word: Be humble before God