For the parallel account of verses 25-28, see 2 Chr 12.2-12, which is considerably longer. The author of 1 Kings does not tell why Shishak invaded Judah, but the author of 2 Chronicles says that it was punishment for the fact that Rehoboam was not faithful to God. An inscription discovered by archaeologists on the wall of a temple in Karnak names 154 towns that Shishak claims to have destroyed during this invasion.

The Hebrew of this verse begins with the verbal transition meaning “And it happened” (King James Version “And it came to pass”), but the beginning of a new paragraph is sufficient to express it here (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation).

The fifth year of King Rehoboam refers, of course, to the fifth year of his reign.

Regarding Shishak king of Egypt, see the comments on 1 Kgs 11.40. Although the Masoretic Text has the spelling “Shushak” here in verse 25, the reading in the margin of the Masoretic Text gives the spelling Shishak.

Came up against is rendered by Good News Translation and many other versions according to the context as “attacked.” Anchor Bible and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh say “marched against.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .