2 Chronicles 12:1-16
Three short years! That was how long the faithfulness of Rehoboam and the people lasted. Now, as in previous times under the judges, God speaks to them by raising up enemies against them. The offensive by Pharaoh Shishak allows the king and the people to compare serving the LORD with serving the king of Egypt (v. 8). Note well: Whereas the LORD enriches his servants, the Enemy despoils those whom he reduces to slavery.
The word of Shemaiah the prophet humbled the hearts of the princes of Israel and of the king. It leads them to say: "The LORD is righteous." Recognizing this righteousness . . . even when it has to be carried out against us, is always a happy sign (see Luke 23:41). That then allows God to reveal Himself, not only as a righteous God, but also as a merciful God, a Saviour God. See how He emphasizes in grace the "good things" that He can still see in the kingdom of Judah. In spite of everything, on the whole, Rehoboam "did evil" (v. 14). This was an evil with distant roots, for his mother, an Ammonitess, had been married to Solomon before the death of David (cf. 2 Chronicles 9:30 and 2 Chronicles 12:13).