Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of 2 Chronicles
Chapter 12: They Humbled Themselves; The LORD Is Righteous
Once Rehoboam was strong and secure, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him, so God sent Shishak of Egypt against Jerusalem. But when the king and princes humbled themselves and confessed, 'The LORD is righteous,' God relented and granted them some deliverance. The chapter warns of the danger of prosperity, commends the mercy that meets the humble, and gives Rehoboam's sad epitaph: he did evil because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.
About This Commentary
This is a verse-by-verse study of 2 Chronicles chapter 12. For each section you will find the KJV text, the Hebrew words that sharpen the meaning, plain explanation, and a Gospel Focus. Every Scripture quotation is from the King James Version.
He Forsook the Law of the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:1-2)
When Rehoboam grew strong, he abandoned God's law, and judgment came.
When He Had Strengthened Himself
"And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him. And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD,"
Word Study
"forsook," Hebrew azav (עָזַב), to abandon, leave, forsake. The turning point is marked with sober precision: "when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook (azav) the law of the LORD." It was not weakness but strength that undid him. In the three good years, with the faithful gathered and the kingdom fragile, Rehoboam walked in the way of David; but once he was "established" and "strengthened," secure and comfortable, he abandoned God's law. Prosperity, not adversity, was his downfall, exactly what Moses had warned: "when thou hast eaten and art full... Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God" (Deuteronomy 8:12-14). And his sin was contagious: "all Israel with him", a leader's forsaking of God pulls a people down. The consequence followed swiftly: "in the fifth year... Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD." The Chronicler names the cause plainly; the invasion was not mere politics but the discipline of God for sin. Ease bred forgetfulness, forgetfulness bred forsaking, and forsaking bred judgment. Few things are more spiritually dangerous than success without a heart kept close to God.
Explanation
Once Rehoboam had firmly established his kingdom and become strong, he abandoned the law of the LORD, and the people followed his bad example. It was his very security and success that led him to drift from God. As a result, in the fifth year of his reign, God allowed Shishak, king of Egypt, to invade and attack Jerusalem. The Chronicler is clear that this happened "because they had transgressed against the LORD", the invasion was God's discipline for their unfaithfulness. Rehoboam's fall shows how prosperity can quietly draw the heart away from God.
Gospel Focus
"When Rehoboam had... strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD" is a warning every believer needs, for prosperity is often more dangerous to the soul than hardship. When we feel established and strong, we are tempted to think we no longer need to lean on God, and we quietly drift from His word. Moses foresaw it, "beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God" when thou art full (Deuteronomy 8:11-14); and Jesus warned how "the deceitfulness of riches" chokes the word (Matthew 13:22). "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12). The remedy is to hold fast to God most tightly when things go best, to keep seeking Him in the days of strength as earnestly as in the days of need. And note the sobering truth that Rehoboam's sin dragged "all Israel with him"; those in leadership bear a weighty responsibility, for their example lifts up or pulls down many. Yet the chapter does not end in judgment, for the God who disciplines is the God who receives the humble, as the next verses show. Guard your heart in prosperity, keep close to God's word when you feel strong, and remember that His discipline is the severe mercy of a Father calling His wandering children home.
The LORD Is Righteous (2 Chronicles 12:6-8)
The king and princes humble themselves, confess God's righteousness, and receive deliverance.
They Have Humbled Themselves
"Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous. And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries."
Word Study
"humbled themselves," Hebrew yikkane'u from kana (כָּנַע), to bow low, submit, be brought low. When the prophet Shemaiah announced that God had abandoned them to Shishak because they had abandoned Him, "the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves (kana); and they said, The LORD is righteous." This is the turning point of grace. They did not argue, blame, or despair; they bowed low and justified God, confessing that His judgment was right, "The LORD is righteous." To say this in the hour of judgment is the very heart of true repentance: agreeing with God against ourselves. And God's response is immediate and tender: "when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves... They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance." God notices humility and answers it with mercy. Yet the deliverance was partial, "some deliverance", and came with a lesson: "Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries." God let them feel the difference between serving Him and serving a foreign king, so they would learn that His service is good and freedom, while bondage to the world is bitter. Humbling brings mercy, though sin still leaves its consequences and its lessons.
Explanation
When confronted by the prophet with the reason for Shishak's invasion, Rehoboam and the leaders of Israel humbled themselves and acknowledged, "The LORD is righteous", admitting that God's judgment against them was just. Because they humbled themselves, God relented: He would not let Jerusalem be destroyed but would grant them "some deliverance." However, He allowed them to become subject to Shishak for a time, so that they would learn the difference between serving God and serving a worldly king. Their humble repentance brought real mercy, though the consequences of their sin were not entirely removed.
Gospel Focus
This passage is a beautiful picture of how God responds to humble repentance. The king and princes "humbled themselves" and confessed, "The LORD is righteous", justifying God even as they were judged. This is the essence of repentance, agreeing with God about our sin, as David did, "against thee... have I sinned... that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest" (Psalm 51:4). And the moment God "saw that they humbled themselves," mercy flowed: "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" (James 4:6); "a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise" (Psalm 51:17). God is quick to notice and answer the humble. Yet notice two things. First, the deliverance was "some deliverance", partial, and they remained servants of Shishak for a time; forgiveness does not always cancel every earthly consequence of sin. Second, God had a gracious purpose even in the discipline: "that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries." He let them taste the bitterness of bondage so they would prize His service, for Christ says, "my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:30), while the service of sin and the world is hard slavery. Humble yourself under God's mighty hand, confess that He is righteous, and find the mercy He delights to give the lowly, and learn to treasure the freedom of serving Him.
Chapter in Review
Second Chronicles 12 tells the sobering story of Rehoboam's fall and partial recovery. When he had grown strong and secure, he "forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him," so God sent Shishak of Egypt against Jerusalem "because they had transgressed." But when the prophet exposed their sin, "the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous," and God, seeing their humility, granted "some deliverance," though He left them servants of Shishak for a time so they would learn to prize His service. The chapter closes with Rehoboam's tragic epitaph: "he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD." It warns of the danger of prosperity, displays the mercy God gives the humble who justify Him, and calls us to prepare our hearts to seek the LORD, lest, like Rehoboam, we forsake Him in our strength.
Key Takeaways
- Prosperity is spiritually dangerous. Rehoboam forsook God when he grew strong; hold fast to Him most in your best days.
- Leaders pull others with them. "All Israel with him" followed his sin; influence is a weighty trust.
- Humble yourself and justify God. "The LORD is righteous" is the language of true repentance that draws mercy.
- God gives grace to the humble. The moment He saw them humble, He granted deliverance; He never despises a contrite heart.
- Prepare your heart to seek the LORD. Rehoboam's epitaph warns that evil follows a heart not set on seeking God.
Questions for Reflection
- Are you drifting from God in a season of strength and security?
- How is your example affecting those who follow you?
- When corrected, do you humble yourself and confess that God is righteous?
- Do you believe God is quick to give grace to the genuinely humble?
- Have you prepared your heart to seek the LORD, or left it unset like Rehoboam?
References
- Scripture: 2 Chronicles 12:1-16, King James Version (commentary focuses on verses 1-2 and 6-8; see also verse 14).
- Cross-references: Deuteronomy 8:11-14; Psalm 51:4, 17; Matthew 11:30; 13:22; 1 Corinthians 10:12; James 4:6.
- Hebrew word meanings: standard lexical sources (Strong's, BDB) for azav and kana; background on Shishak's invasion and Rehoboam's reign.