This verse also begins with the Hebrew verbal transition, which is literally “And it happened” (similarly New American Bible). King James Version again renders it “And it came to pass.” Like Revised Standard Version, most versions omit it.

In the fifth year of King Rehoboam refers to the fifth year of his “reign” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation, Revised English Bible, Moffatt), which was about 927 B.C.

Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD: The pronoun they refers to King Rehoboam and the subjects in his kingdom. Had been unfaithful translates a Hebrew verb meaning “to be untrue” or “to violate one’s legal obligations” (see the comments on 1 Chr 10.13). This word is a common term in 1-2 Chronicles for disobedience. Other possible renderings for this clause are “because they disobeyed the LORD” and “because they were disloyal to the LORD” (similarly Revised English Bible).

Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem: Shishak was the founder of the twenty-second dynasty in Egypt and ruled for twenty-one years. Some scholars date his reign to 931–910 B.C.; and others, to 945–924 B.C. His Egyptian name was Shoshenq I (also spelled as Sheshonq and Shusheq). He was born in Egypt, but he came from a line of Libyan nobles. Came up against is a literal translation of the Hebrew. A more natural English rendering in this context is “attacked” (Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible). New Jerusalem Bible has “marched on,” and Jerusalem Bible says “marched against.”

In some languages it may be preferable to restructure this verse. Compare the following translations:

• In the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign, Shishak the king of Egypt came to attack Jerusalem: this was the consequence of their infidelity to the Lord [Bible en français courant; similarly La Bible du Semeur].

• Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam [New International Version].

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .