2 Chronicles 12:11
New International Version
Whenever the king went to the LORD’s temple, the guards went with him, bearing the shields, and afterward they returned them to the guardroom.

New Living Translation
Whenever the king went to the Temple of the LORD, the guards would also take the shields and then return them to the guardroom.

English Standard Version
And as often as the king went into the house of the LORD, the guard came and carried them and brought them back to the guardroom.

Berean Standard Bible
And whenever the king entered the house of the LORD, the guards would go with him, bearing the shields, and later they would return them to the guardroom.

King James Bible
And when the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard chamber.

New King James Version
And whenever the king entered the house of the LORD, the guard would go and bring them out; then they would take them back into the guardroom.

New American Standard Bible
As often as the king entered the house of the LORD, the guards came and carried them and then brought them back into the guards’ room.

NASB 1995
As often as the king entered the house of the LORD, the guards came and carried them and then brought them back into the guards’ room.

NASB 1977
And it happened as often as the king entered the house of the LORD, the guards came and carried them and then brought them back into the guards’ room.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that as often as the king entered the house of Yahweh, the guards would come and carry them and then bring them back into the guards’ room.

Amplified Bible
And whenever the king entered the house of the LORD, the guards came and carried the shields and then brought them back into the guards’ room.

Christian Standard Bible
Whenever the king entered the LORD’s temple, the guards would carry the shields and take them back to the armory.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Whenever the king entered the LORD’s temple, the royal escorts would carry the shields and take them back to the royal escorts’ armory.

American Standard Version
And it was so, that, as oft as the king entered into the house of Jehovah, the guard came and bare them, and brought them back into the guard-chamber.

Contemporary English Version
Whenever Rehoboam went to the LORD's temple, the guards carried the shields. But they always took them back to the guardroom as soon as he had finished worshiping.

English Revised Version
And it was so, that as oft as the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and bare them, and brought them back into the guard chamber.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whenever the king went into the LORD's temple, guards carried the shields and then returned them to the guardroom.

Good News Translation
Every time the king went to the Temple, the guards carried the shields and then returned them to the guardroom.

International Standard Version
As often as the king entered the LORD's Temple, the guards came and transported the shields to the Temple and then brought them back to the guard's quarters.

Majority Standard Bible
And whenever the king entered the house of the LORD, the guards would go with him, bearing the shields, and later they would return them to the guardroom.

NET Bible
Whenever the king visited the LORD's temple, the royal guards carried them and then brought them back to the guardroom.

New Heart English Bible
It was so, that as often as the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and bore them, and brought them back into the guard room.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and conveyed them, and brought them again into the guard-chamber.

World English Bible
As often as the king entered into Yahweh’s house, the guard came and bore them, then brought them back into the guard room.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and it comes to pass, from the time of the going in of the king to the house of YHWH, the runners have come in and lifted them up, and brought them back to the chamber of the runners.

Young's Literal Translation
and it cometh to pass, from the time of the going in of the king to the house of Jehovah, the runners have come in and lifted them up, and brought them back unto the chamber of the runners.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be as often as the king came into the house of Jehovah the runners came and lifted them up and turned them back to the chamber of the runners.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when the king entered into the house of the Lord, the shieldbearers came and took them, and brought them back again to their armoury.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when the king would enter into the house of the Lord, the shield bearers would arrive and take them, and they would carry them back to their armory.

New American Bible
Whenever the king visited the house of the LORD, the attendants would carry them, and then return them to the guardroom.

New Revised Standard Version
Whenever the king went into the house of the LORD, the guard would come along bearing them, and would then bring them back to the guardroom.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard chamber.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it was so, that as oft as the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and bore them, and brought them back into the guard-chamber.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass, when the king went into the house of the Lord, the guards and the footmen went in, and they that returned to meet the footmen.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Egypt Plunders Jerusalem
10Then King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place and committed them to the care of the captains of the guard on duty at the entrance to the royal palace. 11And whenever the king entered the house of the LORD, the guards would go with him, bearing the shields, and later they would return them to the guardroom. 12Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the anger of the LORD turned away from him, and He did not destroy him completely. Indeed, conditions were good in Judah.…

Cross References
1 Kings 14:27-28
Then King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place and committed them to the care of the captains of the guard on duty at the entrance to the royal palace. / And whenever the king entered the house of the LORD, the guards would bear the shields, and later they would return them to the guardroom.

2 Chronicles 9:16
He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.

2 Chronicles 9:15
King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of hammered gold went into each shield.

1 Kings 10:16-17
King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. / He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold went into each shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.

2 Chronicles 11:12
He also put shields and spears in all the cities and strengthened them greatly. So Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.

2 Chronicles 9:24
Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.

2 Chronicles 9:11
The king made the algum wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had anything like them been seen in the land of Judah.)

2 Chronicles 9:4
the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, the attire of his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.

1 Kings 10:21
All King Solomon’s drinking cups were gold, and all the utensils of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. There was no silver, because it was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon.

1 Kings 10:5
the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.

1 Kings 10:12
The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such almug wood been brought in, nor has such been seen again to this day.)

1 Kings 10:25
Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.

2 Chronicles 13:2-3
and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Micaiah daughter of Uriel; she was from Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. / Abijah went into battle with an army of 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in formation against him with 800,000 chosen and mighty men of valor.

2 Chronicles 13:10-12
But as for us, the LORD is our God. We have not forsaken Him; the priests who minister to the LORD are sons of Aaron, and the Levites attend to their duties. / Every morning and every evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the LORD. They set out the rows of showbread on the ceremonially clean table, and every evening they light the lamps of the gold lampstand. We are carrying out the requirements of the LORD our God, while you have forsaken Him. / Now behold, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with their trumpets sound the battle call against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.”

2 Chronicles 13:18
Thus the Israelites were subdued at that time, and the men of Judah prevailed because they relied on the LORD, the God of their fathers.


Treasury of Scripture

And when the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard chamber.

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Afterward Armed Bore Carried Chamber Conveyed Couriers Entered Fetched Guard Guard-Chamber Guardroom Guards House Lord's Oft Often Room Shields Temple Whenever
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Afterward Armed Bore Carried Chamber Conveyed Couriers Entered Fetched Guard Guard-Chamber Guardroom Guards House Lord's Oft Often Room Shields Temple Whenever
2 Chronicles 12
1. Rehoboam, forsaking the Lord, is punished by Shishak
5. He and the princes, repenting at the preaching of Shemaiah,
7. are delivered from destruction, but not from spoil
13. The reign and death of Rehoboam














And whenever the king entered the house of the LORD
This phrase indicates a regular practice or ritual, suggesting the king's ongoing participation in worship at the temple. The "house of the LORD" refers to Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship for the Israelites. The king's presence in the temple underscores the importance of royal leadership in spiritual matters. Historically, the temple was the focal point of Jewish religious life, and the king's visits would have been significant events. This practice reflects the king's role as both a political and spiritual leader, responsible for upholding the covenant with God.

the guards would go with him
The presence of guards highlights the importance of security and protection for the king, especially during religious activities. This detail underscores the political tensions and potential threats faced by the monarchy. The guards' role also signifies the reverence and solemnity of the king's visit to the temple, ensuring that the sanctity of the place was maintained. In a broader biblical context, the presence of guards can be seen as a reminder of the need for vigilance in spiritual matters, as echoed in passages like Nehemiah 4:9, where watchfulness is emphasized.

bearing the shields
The shields mentioned here are likely the gold shields that Rehoboam had made after the original ones were taken by Shishak, king of Egypt (2 Chronicles 12:9-10). These shields symbolize the glory and splendor of the kingdom, as well as the loss and subsequent attempt to restore honor. The act of bearing shields during the king's temple visits may also symbolize the protection and defense of the faith and the nation. In a typological sense, shields can represent faith itself, as seen in Ephesians 6:16, where the "shield of faith" is part of the armor of God.

and later they would return them to the guardroom
Returning the shields to the guardroom indicates a routine and organized practice, reflecting the structured nature of temple service and royal protocol. The guardroom served as a secure place for storing valuable items, emphasizing the importance of stewardship and responsibility. This action can be seen as a metaphor for the cyclical nature of worship and duty, where sacred objects are used and then carefully preserved. The concept of returning and safeguarding can be connected to the biblical theme of faithfulness, as seen in parables like the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, where stewardship is a key lesson.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Rehoboam
The son of Solomon and king of Judah, whose reign is marked by a division of the kingdom and spiritual decline.

2. House of the LORD
Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites.

3. Guards
The royal guards responsible for the protection of the king and the temple, symbolizing vigilance and duty.

4. Shields
These were likely bronze shields made to replace the gold ones taken by Shishak, king of Egypt, symbolizing a loss of glory and divine favor.

5. Guardroom
The place where the shields were stored, representing a return to routine and order after the king's visit to the temple.
Teaching Points
Spiritual Vigilance
Just as the guards accompanied the king with shields, Christians are called to be vigilant in their spiritual walk, always prepared with the armor of God.

Symbolism of Shields
The replacement of gold shields with bronze signifies a loss of divine favor due to disobedience. Believers should strive to maintain their spiritual integrity and not settle for less.

Importance of Worship
The king's visits to the temple, despite the loss, remind us of the importance of regular worship and seeking God's presence, even in times of spiritual decline.

Consequences of Disobedience
Rehoboam's account is a cautionary tale about the consequences of turning away from God, urging believers to remain faithful and obedient.

Restoration and Order
Returning the shields to the guardroom symbolizes a return to order. In our lives, we should seek to restore spiritual order through repentance and alignment with God's will.(11) And when.--And as often as.

The guard came and fetched . . .--The runners came and bare them; and they (after the royal procession) restored them to the guard room of the runners. (See on 1Kings 14:28, which reads, "the runners used to bear them.")

Solomon's golden shields had been kept in "the house of the forest of Lebanon" (2Chronicles 9:16).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Whenever
מִדֵּי־ (mid·dê-)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1767: Sufficiency, enough

the king
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

would enter
ב֥וֹא (ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the house
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the guards
הָרָצִים֙ (hā·rā·ṣîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7323: To run

would go [with him],
בָּ֤אוּ (bā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

bearing [the shields],
וּנְשָׂא֔וּם (ū·nə·śā·’ūm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

and [later] take them back
וֶהֱשִׁב֖וּם (we·hĕ·ši·ḇūm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the guardroom.
הָרָצִֽים׃ (hā·rā·ṣîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7323: To run


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 12:11 It was so that as often as (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 12:10
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