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This idolatry was, indeed, not new in Israel - though it had probably not been practiced
to the same extent. But in addition to this we now read of persons "consecrated" to the
Syrian goddess, with the nameless abominations connected therewith. This form of
heathen pollution was of purely Canaanite origin. As indicating the influence of the
Canaanites upon Judah, it may perhaps be regarded as another evidence of the
connection subsisting between Rehoboam and the ancient Canaanite cities within the
territory of Israel.
The Divine punishment was not long withheld. Once more it came in the course of
natural causation, through the political motives which influenced Shishak, and led him
to support Jeroboam. In the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign Shishak marched a large
army of Egyptians, Lybians, Sukkiim, ("tent-dwellers"? Arabs?), and Ethiopians, with
1,200 chariots"^196 and 60,000 horsemen, into Judaea, and, after taking the fenced cities
along his route, advanced upon Jerusalem, where Rehoboam and his army were
gathered.
Once more the prophet Shemaiah averted a contest, which could only have ended in
disaster. On showing them that the national danger, though apparently arising from
political causes, was really due to their sin against Jehovah (2 Chronicles 12:2); and
that it was needless to fight, since, as they had been God-forsaking, they were now
God-forsaken (ver. 5) the king and his princes humbled themselves. Thereupon the
LORD intimated through His prophet, that He would "grant them deliverance for a
little while," on condition of their submitting to Shishak. The reason for this, "that they
may know My service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries," as well as the
terms by which the promised deliverance was qualified, contained the most solemn
warning of the ultimate consequences of apostasy. Yet the Divine forbearance
continued other 370 years before the threatened judgment burst upon the nation. But at
this time Jerusalem was spared. Voluntary submission having been made, Shishak
entered the city, and contented himself with carrying away the treasures of the Temple
and of the Palace, including among the latter the famous golden shields used by
Solomon's body-guard on state occasions,^197 for which Rehoboam now substituted
shields of brass.^198
(^)