2 Chronicles 12 6

2 Chronicles 12:6 kjv

Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous.

2 Chronicles 12:6 nkjv

So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, "The LORD is righteous."

2 Chronicles 12:6 niv

The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, "The LORD is just."

2 Chronicles 12:6 esv

Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, "The LORD is righteous."

2 Chronicles 12:6 nlt

Then the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, "The LORD is right in doing this to us!"

2 Chronicles 12 verses

2 Chronicles 12 6 Meaning

After the prophet Shemaiah declared that God's judgment was upon Judah because they had forsaken Him, the leaders of the nation, including King Rehoboam and his officials, responded by humbling themselves before the LORD. They confessed the truth of God's judgment, openly acknowledging His perfect justice and righteousness in their present predicament. This immediate, albeit crisis-driven, act of repentance diverted the full extent of the threatened destruction.

2 Chronicles 12 6 Context

The verse occurs immediately after the prophet Shemaiah declares God's judgment on Judah. Prior to this, King Rehoboam and all Israel (referring to Judah, the southern kingdom) had forsaken the Law of the LORD (2 Chron 12:1). As a direct consequence of their unfaithfulness, God allowed Shishak, King of Egypt, to invade Judah (2 Chron 12:2-4). Shemaiah's prophetic word in verse 5 made it clear that Shishak's invasion was not a random geopolitical event but a divine chastisement: "You have forsaken me, so I have forsaken you and delivered you into the hand of Shishak." Verse 6 captures the leaders' immediate response to this sharp rebuke, realizing the gravity of their situation. Their confession acknowledges God's absolute sovereignty and justice, an act that mitigated the severe judgment, leading to God declaring, "I will not destroy them" (2 Chron 12:7). This event serves as a critical historical moment demonstrating the principle of God's responsive mercy to even crisis-induced humility.

2 Chronicles 12 6 Word analysis

• Then: This conjunction wāw (וְ) indicates a direct consequence or immediate response to the preceding declaration by the prophet Shemaiah. It highlights the direct cause-and-effect relationship between God's word, their recognition of it, and their subsequent action.
• the princes of Israel and the king: In Hebrew, śarê Yiśrā’ēl wᵉhammelek (שָׂרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְהַמֶּלֶךְ). This specifies the leadership. It was not just a general popular movement but involved the heads of the nation, including King Rehoboam himself and his key officials. This underscores corporate responsibility and public acknowledgment of guilt from the very top. This group had been instrumental in leading the nation away from God's commands.
• humbled themselves: The Hebrew verb is wayyikkānĕ‘û (וַיִּכָּנְעוּ), derived from the root kāna‘ (כָּנַע), meaning "to be submissive," "to be brought low," "to abase oneself." It is an active and intentional act of bowing or surrendering oneself. It denotes not just passive sorrow but an intentional recognition of their low position before a superior power—God—and an acceptance of His rightful judgment. This humility implied a willingness to submit to His will, however momentarily or reactively.
• and said: Implies a vocal, public declaration or confession. Their repentance was not just an internal feeling but an articulated statement. This public declaration served as an example and solidified their acknowledgment.
• 'The LORD is righteous!': In Hebrew, Yahweh tsaddiq (יְהוָה צַדִּיק).
  • The LORD (Yahweh): This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His unique relationship with Israel and His steadfast character, even when exercising judgment upon His own people.
  • is righteous: The Hebrew word tsaddiq (צַדִּיק) means just, correct, fair, upright, or in the right. By declaring "The LORD is righteous," the princes and the king are making a profound theological and personal confession. They are admitting that God is completely justified in bringing judgment upon them; He has done nothing wrong, and their current suffering is a direct, deserved consequence of their own unfaithfulness. This confession takes full blame away from God and places it squarely on themselves. It's a statement of complete theological agreement with God's actions and His character.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves": This phrase captures the crucial act of repentance by the leadership. Their previous "forsaking" of the Law (2 Chron 12:1) led to national calamity. Their collective humility, signifying submission to God's authority and acceptance of His discipline, became the turning point, directly influencing God's decision to not destroy the nation (2 Chron 12:7). This demonstrates the power of leadership repentance for a nation.
• "humbled themselves and said, 'The LORD is righteous!'": This whole declaration encapsulates the essence of biblical repentance. It begins with an inward act of self-abasement and surrender (humbled themselves) followed by an outward, verbal confession that acknowledges God's justice and their own culpability (said, 'The LORD is righteous!'). This sequence shows true acknowledgment of sin—not merely sorrow for consequences, but agreement with God that He is right and they are wrong.

2 Chronicles 12 6 Bonus section

• The rapidity of the leaders' repentance (immediately after the prophet's word) highlights their belief in the direct correlation between their actions and divine consequences.
• This instance contrasts with many other biblical accounts where leaders, like Pharaoh or King Saul, refused to humble themselves, leading to greater destruction.
• The phrase "The LORD is righteous!" serves as a direct antithesis to any notion that God is unfair or that His judgments are arbitrary. It affirms divine holiness and justice, placing full responsibility for the distress on human sin.
• This partial repentance spared Judah from becoming enslaved by Egypt, instead only subjecting them to tribute (2 Chron 12:8-9), thereby preserving the Davidic line in Jerusalem as promised, a critical part of God's redemptive plan for the Messiah.

2 Chronicles 12 6 Commentary

2 Chronicles 12:6 provides a profound insight into God's character and the nature of genuine, albeit crisis-driven, repentance. When faced with the devastating consequences of their unfaithfulness, as declared by the prophet Shemaiah, King Rehoboam and the leading officials of Judah did not harden their hearts, blame God, or despair. Instead, they "humbled themselves." This active choice signifies their recognition of divine authority and their personal and corporate guilt. The confession, "The LORD is righteous!" is not merely a theological statement; it's an admission that God is completely just in His actions, implying that they deserved the impending judgment. They did not contest God's dealings; rather, they affirmed His holy character even in the face of national disaster. This immediate act of humility and confession was sufficient in God's eyes to temper His judgment. Though the depth of their long-term spiritual commitment after this event is debatable (as suggested by 2 Chron 12:14, where Rehoboam is noted for not setting his heart to seek the LORD), this moment highlights God's readiness to show mercy and deliver, even when faced with repentance born out of immediate distress. It stands as a timeless lesson: when humanity acknowledges God's justice and humbles itself, even under the shadow of judgment, God is disposed to extend His grace and leniency.