Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king's house.

2 CHRONICLES 12:10KJV
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2 Chronicles 12:10 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 12:10 mean?

2 Chronicles 12:10 describes how King Rehoboam, after losing the gold shields from Solomon’s time, made new shields out of brass and put them under the care of the chief guards who watched over the entrance to the royal palace. This verse shows a change in the kingdom’s wealth and status, as brass was less valuable than gold.

The setting is the aftermath of an invasion: King Shishak of Egypt had taken treasures from Jerusalem, including the original gold shields. The Chronicler is recording how Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, responded to this loss by replacing the gold shields with ones made of brass. The verse highlights the shift from the glory days under Solomon to a period of decline and adaptation under Rehoboam.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 12:10

  • "shields" (צִנָּה, tsinnah): This word refers to large defensive shields, not just small bucklers, emphasizing the visible loss of royal splendor.
  • "brass" (נְחֹשֶׁת, nechoshet): This word means bronze or copper alloy, which was much less valuable than gold, underlining the downgrade in the kingdom’s wealth.
  • "chief" (שַׂר, sar): This word means a leader or official, here referring to the head of the palace guard, showing that the shields still had ceremonial importance despite being less precious.
  • "guard" (רָץ, rats): This word means a runner or guard, often used for royal attendants, indicating that the shields were still part of the king’s public image, even if their material value had diminished.

Why 2 Chronicles 12:10 matters

  • This verse makes clear that Rehoboam’s reign was marked by loss and compromise, contrasting sharply with the prosperity and glory of Solomon’s rule.
  • The detail about the shields being made of brass instead of gold highlights the tangible consequences of unfaithfulness and defeat for the nation.
  • Understanding this verse helps the reader see how the Chronicler uses specific details to show the decline in Israel’s fortunes and the impact of leadership choices on the nation’s status.

Where else these words appear

“Rehoboam” Hebrew H7346 · used in 41 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:43 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Kings 14:29 Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
  • 2 Chronicles 11:1 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.

“shields” Hebrew H4043 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;
  • Psalms 115:11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

“guard” Hebrew H7323 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
  • 2 Samuel 18:22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
  • Job 9:25 Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.

“brass” Hebrew H5178 · used in 119 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • Deuteronomy 8:9 A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.
  • 1 Chronicles 22:16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.