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.

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.
Application: 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