“And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.”
For such is the inconstancy of the people, that for the most part they follow the vices of their governors. Or, when the Lord had established Rehoboam’s kingdom.
“With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.”
Which were a people of Africa called the Troglodytes because they dwelled in holes. Or, black Moores.
“Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.”
Signifying, that no calamity can come unto us except we forsake God, and that he never leaveth us till we have cast him off.
“Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous.”
And therefore doth justly punish you for your sins.
“Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.”
He showeth that God’s punishments are not to destroy his utterly, but to chastise them, to bring them to the knowledge of themselves, and to know how much better it is to serve God than tyrants.
“So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.”
Cross references: : 2 Chron. 9:15 , 16
“And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, that he would not destroy him altogether: and also in Judah things went well. and also: or, and yet in Judah there were good things”
Which declareth that God seeketh not the death of a sinner, but his conversion, Ezek. 18:32 and 23:11.
“So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.”
1 Kings 14:21 That is, twelve years after that he had been overcome by Shishak, verse 2 .