Bible Figure
Shishak
biblical figure ; King of Egypt at the time of King Solomon
Shishak was the Egyptian pharaoh who invaded Judah during Rehoboam's reign and carried away treasures from Jerusalem.
Biography
First Kings 14 and 2 Chronicles 12 record Shishak's invasion in Rehoboam's fifth year. Chronicles connects the crisis with Judah's unfaithfulness and describes a large Egyptian force taking fortified cities and approaching Jerusalem. After Rehoboam and the leaders humbled themselves, total destruction was averted, but Shishak took treasures from the Temple and royal palace, including Solomon's gold shields. Shishak is commonly identified historically with Pharaoh Shoshenq I.
Biblical Significance
Shishak's invasion marks a dramatic decline from Solomon's wealth and security and illustrates Chronicles' theme that covenant unfaithfulness brings discipline.