Bible Commentaries

This chapter runs parallel with Kings (see the marginal reference), but considerably enlarges the narrative.

All Israel with him - i. e., “all Judah and Benjamin” - all the Israelites of those two tribes.

Shishak … came up … because they had transgressed - The writer speaks from a divine, not a human, point of view. Shishak‘s motive in coming up was to help Jeroboam, and to extend his own influence.

twelve hundred chariots - This number is not unusnal (compare Exodus 14:7; 1 Kings 10:26). Benhadad brought 1,200 chariots into the field against Shalmaneser II; and Ahabhad at the same time a force of 2,000 chariots (compare the 1 Kings 20:1 note).

The Lubims or “Libyans” Daniel 11:43, were a people of Africa, distinct from the Egyptians and the Ethiopians dwelling in their immediate neighborhood. They were called Ribu or Libu by the Egyptians. See Genesis 10:13.

Sukkiims - This name does not occur elsewhere. The Septuagint, who rendered the word “Troglodytes,” regarded the Sukkiim probably as the “cave-dwellers” along the western shore of the Red Sea; but the conjecture that the word means “tent-dwellers” is plausible, and would point rather to a tribe of Arahs (Scenitae).

See 1 the Kings 14:25 note.

They said, The Lord is righteous - i. e., they acknowledged the justice of the sentence which had gone forth against them 2 Chronicles 12:5.

Compare the repentance of Ahab (marginal reference) and that of the Ninevites Jonah 3:5-10 which produced similar revocations of divine decrees that had been pronounced by the mouth of a prophet.

Some deliverance - Rather, “deliverance for a short space” (see the margin). Because of the repentance, the threat cf immediate destruction was withdrawn; but the menace was still left impending, that the people might be the more moved to contrition and amendment.

That they may know my service, and the service of the kingdom - i. e., that they may contrast the light burthen of the theocracy with the heavy yoke of a foreign monarch.

He prepared not his heart … - See the margin. Rehoboam‘s sin was want of earnestness and consistency.