1Ki 14:21-31 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Kgs 14:21-31: 14:21-31 Between the opening and closing details about Rehoboam’s reign (14:21 , 29-31 ), the account focuses on the deteriorating spiritual experience of God’s people in Judah (14:22-24 ) and on an Egyptian invasion (14:25-28 ). 14:21 Rather than any city of the northern kingdom, the city the Lord had chosen was Jerusalem . • Naamah, as the queen mother , was highly esteemed in Judah. This role seems to have developed into an official status (15:13 ), and Judah’s queen mothers are often mentioned in connection with the reigning king (see, e.g., Jer 22:26 ).

Summary for 1Kgs 14:21-31: 14:21-31 ^a Between the opening and closing details about Rehoboam’s reign (14:21 ^b, 29-31 ^c), the account focuses on the deteriorating spiritual experience of God’s people in Judah (14:22-24 ^d) and on an Egyptian invasion (14:25-28 ^e). 14:21 ^f Rather than any city of the northern kingdom, the city the Lord had chosen was Jerusalem.

• Naamah, as the queen mother, was highly esteemed in Judah. This role seems to have developed into an official status (15:13 ^g), and Judah’s queen mothers are often mentioned in connection with the reigning king (see, e.g., Jer 22:26 ^h).
14:22 ⁱ the people of Judah did what was evil: Although Rehoboam seemed to begin his reign in good spiritual form (2 Chr 11:5-17 ^j, 23 ^k), he deserted God’s standards (2 Chr 12:1 ^l).
Summary for 1Kgs 14:23-24: 14:23-24 ^m Solomon had married foreign wives, who led his family into idolatry. Judah, under Rehoboam’s leadership, then perpetuated the detestable practices of the pagan nations that occupied the land before the Israelites. The spiritual decline of a nation easily follows from debased leadership, which leads to disgrace and destruction (Prov 14:34 ⁿ).

• Shrine prostitutes were not uncommon in Canaan but were prohibited for Israel (see study notes on Lev 17:7; Deut 23:17-18). They became a part of Israelite society as the people embraced Canaanite culture.
14:25 ^o Shishak (Shoshenq I, 945–924 BC), of Egypt’s 22^nd dynasty, reunited the land of Egypt that was divided during the 21^st dynasty. He gave Egypt renewed stability, economic expansion, and military power. His attack on Judah is also recorded by the Chronicler (2 Chr 12:2-4 ^p) and is written on the Amon Temple in Thebes.
Summary for 1Kgs 14:26-28: 14:26-28 ^q When Rehoboam replaced Solomon’s gold shields with bronze shields, it reflected the declining spiritual value of Rehoboam’s kingdom. The complete destruction of Judah and Jerusalem was avoided only when Rehoboam repented in response to the Lord’s word through the prophet Shemaiah (2 Chr 12:5-6 ^r, 12 ^s).
Summary for 1Kgs 14:29-31: 14:29-31 ^t The closing report concerning Rehoboam’s reign notes his constant strife with Jeroboam.