2 Chronicles 12:8

8 But they will become his subjects, so they will know the difference between serving me and serving earthly rulers.”

2 Chronicles 12:8 Meaning and Commentary

2 Chronicles 12:8

Nevertheless, they shall be his servants
tributaries to the king of Egypt:

that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the
countries;
the difference between them, how easy the one, which they might perform without taxes and tributes, and how hard and heavy the other, through the exactions and exorbitant demands of those to whom they became subjects.

2 Chronicles 12:8 In-Context

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

7 When the LORD saw their change of heart, he gave this message to Shemaiah: “Since the people have humbled themselves, I will not completely destroy them and will soon give them some relief. I will not use Shishak to pour out my anger on Jerusalem.

8 But they will become his subjects, so they will know the difference between serving me and serving earthly rulers.”

9 So King Shishak of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem. He ransacked the treasuries of the LORD ’s Temple and the royal palace; he stole everything, including all the gold shields Solomon had made.

10 King Rehoboam later replaced them with bronze shields as substitutes, and he entrusted them to the care of the commanders of the guard who protected the entrance to the royal palace.