2 Chronicles 12 · Grade 5
The Danger of Strength
Read and Think
Chapter 12 opens with a warning. When Rehoboam became strong, he forsook Yahweh's law. Success led to pride, and pride led to unfaithfulness. In the fifth year, Shishak of Egypt invaded, took Judah's fortified cities, and came to Jerusalem. The fortresses of chapter 11 could not save them.
Shemaiah gave the diagnosis plainly: because they had forsaken God, He had left them to Shishak. The leaders and the king humbled themselves and confessed, Yahweh is righteous. God answered at once with mercy. He would not destroy them, but they would serve Shishak to learn the difference between God's service and the service of earthly kings.
Solomon's gold shields went to Egypt, and Rehoboam replaced them with bronze, a picture of glory lost. Still, because he humbled himself, God's wrath turned away, and there were good things in Judah. The final verdict is sobering: he did evil, because he did not set his heart to seek Yahweh. In the New Testament, Peter writes that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5).
Show What You Know
What led Rehoboam to unfaithfulness?
What could not save Judah?
What did the leaders confess?
What did the bronze shields picture?
What does 1 Peter 5:5 say?
Crossword
Across
- ____ slept with his fathers
- So ____ Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem and reigned
Down
- And he reigned seventeen years in ____
- ____ king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem
- Because they had trespassed against ____
Think About It
Rehoboam's heart was not set to seek God. What helps you set your heart to seek God each day?
Serving God is different from serving other masters. What things try to become your master instead of God?
Memory Verse
“He did that which was evil, because he didn’t set his heart to seek Yahweh.”
2 Chronicles 12:14 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for Your mercy. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How does 1 Peter 5:5 in the New Testament connect to this chapter?
- What things try to take God's place in your life?
- What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.