Spiritual decline from within inevitably invites trouble from the outside. As the Kingdom of Judah falters, a foreign power rises to threaten the capital city. The timing of this invasion, occurring in the fifth year of King Rehoboam's reign, is not a random historical event but a swift and strict act of divine justice. For the first three years of his rule, the king and the people of Judah faithfully followed God. However, in the fourth year, they fell into idolatry, and by the fifth year, their punishment arrived. God held them to a stricter and more immediate standard than He did the neighboring Kingdom of Israel because the holy Temple stood directly in their midst.
The invading force is led by Shishak, the king of Egypt. Commentators explore different motivations for his sudden campaign against Jerusalem. One tradition identifies him with Pharaoh Necho and suggests his name reflects a lifelong, deep-seated desire to capture the magnificent ivory throne of his son-in-law, King Solomon [רש״י, חומת אנך]. While some express reservations about this specific identification [חומת אנך], another perspective focuses on the geopolitical reality. Shishak commanded a military empire strong enough to easily bring Jerusalem to its knees [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Furthermore, he likely launched this war to support his ally, Jeroboam, who had previously fled to Egypt and found refuge under his protection [אברבנאל].
Marching with a massive army consisting of hundreds of chariots and tens of thousands of horsemen, the Egyptian king captured the fortified cities all the way to Jerusalem. Facing total destruction, the people of Judah were rebuked by the prophet Shemaiah. Only after they humbled themselves and repented did God promise to spare them from complete ruin. However, He still decreed that they would be subjugated to the Egyptian empire. This loss of independence served as a precise, fitting consequence for their actions. Because the people had chosen to mix the worship of God in the Temple with the worship of false idols, they were forced to experience the harsh reality of their choice. They would now learn firsthand the painful difference between serving God and being slaves to earthly kings [אברבנאל].