Definition: And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, [that] Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 14:25. It’s a pretty interesting and somewhat surprising part of the story about how King Solomon's son, Shishak, was to rule. Here’s the explanation in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse tells us that Shishak, a foreign king from Egypt, invaded Jerusalem. It’s a significant event because it sets up a conflict between the two kingdoms – Israel and Egypt – long before Solomon's reign. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And it came to pass…” : This phrase is a standard way of introducing a story or event that was happening in the past. It’s like saying “This is what happened.” “…in the fifth year of king Rehoboam” : This tells us who did this – King Rehoboam, who was Solomon's son. "Fifth year" means it happened about 50 years before the verse itself. “[That] Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem:” This is the crucial part! Shishak, a ruler from Egypt, invaded (went into) Jerusalem. He was attacking the city. What's the Significance? This event is important because it’s the beginning of a conflict between Israel and Egypt. It highlights that the region wasn't just a simple matter of territorial disputes; there were deeper political tensions brewing. The verse suggests that this invasion might be connected to a larger struggle for power and influence in the Middle East. In short, it’s a story about a foreign king challenging Israel – a significant step towards future conflict. --- Would you like me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the context of this verse within the larger narrative of 1 Kings?