Shishak

Shishak was an Egyptian Pharaoh who invaded Judah during the reign of King Rehoboam and captured fortified cities.

Shishak, also known as Sheshonk I, was an Egyptian Pharaoh who ruled during the 10th century BC. He is mentioned in 1Ki.11.40, 14:25, and 2Ch 12:2-9 in connection with his invasion of Judah during the reign of King Rehoboam, the son of Solomon. When Jeroboam, Solomon's servant, rebelled against Rehoboam, he fled to Egypt and found refuge under Shishak's protection. In the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign, Shishak attacked Jerusalem with a vast army, capturing fortified cities in Judah. He seized treasures from the temple and the royal palace, including gold shields that Solomon had made. Rehoboam humbled himself before the Lord, and God granted Judah deliverance from complete destruction. However, they became subject to Shishak, and Rehoboam had to replace the gold shields with bronze ones. Shishak's invasion significantly weakened Judah's power and wealth, marking a decline from the prosperous reign of Solomon. Historically, Shishak is identified with Sheshonk I, the founder of the 22nd Dynasty of Egypt, and his invasion of Judah is confirmed by archaeological evidence, including a relief at the Karnak Temple in Egypt that lists numerous places he conquered, including many in Israel and Judah.

'=Sheshonk I., king of Egypt. His reign was one of great national success, and a record of his wars and conquests adorns the portico of what are called the “Bubastite kings” at Karnak, the ancient Thebes. Among these conquests is a record of that of Judea. In the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign Shishak came up against the kingdom of Judah with a powerful army. He took the fenced cities and came to Jerusalem. He pillaged the treasures of the temple and of the royal palace, and carried away the shields of gold which Solomon had made (1 Kings 11:40; 14:25; 2 Chr. 12:2). This expedition of the Egyptian king was undertaken at the instigation of Jeroboam for the purpose of humbling Judah. Hostilities between the two kingdoms still continued; but during Rehoboam’s reign there was not again the intervention of a third party.