Shishak Relief
Shishak is the first Egyptian king to be mentioned by name in the Bible. Prior to this the Bible uses no personal names for the Pharaohs.
Head of Shishak on the Walls of Karnak Temple
Because of Solomon's idolatry, God decreed through the prophet Ahijah that He was going to take ten tribes from Solomon and give them to Jeroboam, an official in Solomon's court. As a result, Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam. Jeroboam fled to Egypt where Shishak gave him refuge. By harbouring Jeroboam he instigated the division of Israel. Upon Solomon's death, Jeroboam returned and became leader of the breakaway Northern Kingdom, while Solomon's son Rehoboam ruled over the Southern kingdom of Judah.
When the split occurred, Shishak invaded the two weakened kingdoms (Judah and Israel). The underlying cause seems to have been to break Israel’s commercial monopoly in the north and to obtain much needed treasury, rather than to annex the land.
Kingdoms of Israel and Judah
The Genealogy of the Kings of Ancient Israel and Judah
When archaeologists discovered the Karnak Temple of Amun in Egypt, on its walls there was a record of Pharaoh Shishak’s raid of 140 different places, including cities in Judah and Israel.
Karnak in Egypt
Pharoah Shishak's Invasions Recorded on the Karnak Temple
Taylor Prism
Gezer Calendar
