II Chronicles 13: Abijah's Stand for God
Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah.
He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour.
And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;
Ought ye not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?
Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord.
And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.
And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the Lord in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.
Have ye not cast out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.
But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the Lord, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business:
And they burn unto the Lord every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the Lord our God; but ye have forsaken him.
And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the Lord God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.
But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.
And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the Lord, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.
Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand.
And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.
Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the Lord God of their fathers.
And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Beth–el with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephrain with the towns thereof.
Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the Lord struck him, and he died.
But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.
And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the story of the prophet Iddo.
II Chronicles 13 recounts a pivotal moment in the divided kingdom era, highlighting the reign of Abijah, king of Judah, and his confrontation with Jeroboam, king of Israel. This chapter offers valuable insights into faith, leadership, and the consequences of obedience and disobedience. It serves as a powerful reminder that true strength lies not in numbers, but in unwavering dependence on God.
Abijah's Appeal to Israel (II Chronicles 13:1-12)
The chronicler sets the stage by detailing the war between Abijah and Jeroboam (II Chronicles 13:1-2). The sheer disparity in military strength is immediately apparent: Israel's forces outnumbered Judah's by a staggering two to one (II Chronicles 13:3). Yet, before engaging in battle, Abijah makes a remarkable attempt to avert bloodshed. He addresses Jeroboam and the Israelite army, delivering a powerful speech that lays bare the heart of the conflict (II Chronicles 13:4-12).
Abijah's address is a carefully constructed argument, appealing to Israel's sense of history and justice. He reminds them that the kingdom rightfully belongs to David and his descendants, a claim grounded in God's eternal covenant (II Chronicles 13:5). He doesn't shy away from criticizing Jeroboam's leadership, characterizing his followers as "worthless and wicked men" (II Chronicles 13:7). While this may reflect a son's defense of his father, Rehoboam, it also underscores the fundamental issue of legitimacy and divine authority.
A crucial part of Abijah's argument centers on the issue of worship. He points out that Israel's army is being led by the golden calves Jeroboam had established and the unauthorized priests he had appointed (II Chronicles 13:8-9). In stark contrast, Abijah declares, "As for us, the LORD is our God" (II Chronicles 13:10). He emphasizes that Judah remains faithful to the divinely ordained worship practices, with priests and Levites offering sacrifices at the temple in Jerusalem as prescribed long ago (II Chronicles 13:11). Abijah concludes his speech with a direct plea to Jeroboam, urging him not to attack Judah, which he equates to fighting against the Lord God Himself. He warns Jeroboam, "you will not succeed" (II Chronicles 13:12).
Victory Through Dependence on God (II Chronicles 13:13-18)
Despite Abijah's earnest appeal, Jeroboam's army launches an ambush even as he speaks (II Chronicles 13:13). Judah finds itself outnumbered and surrounded, a seemingly hopeless situation. However, their response is one of faith and reliance on God. They cry out to the Lord in worship (II Chronicles 13:14). As the priests blow the trumpets, signaling God's presence and call to battle, Judah's soldiers engage the men of Israel.
The chronicler emphasizes that God heard Judah's cry for help. He reports that "God routed Jeroboam and all Israel" (II Chronicles 13:15). The victory is unequivocally attributed to divine intervention. II Chronicles 13:18 clearly states that the forces of Judah were victorious "because they depended on the LORD, the God of their ancestors." This verse encapsulates the central theme of the chapter: true victory comes not through military might, but through unwavering faith in God.
Consequences and Transition (II Chronicles 13:19-22)
The consequences of the battle are significant. Jeroboam's power wanes, and "the LORD struck him and he died" (II Chronicles 13:20). Meanwhile, Abijah "grew strong" (II Chronicles 13:21), solidifying his position as king of Judah. The chapter concludes with the transition of power as Abijah dies and his son Asa ascends to the throne (II Chronicles 14:1).
II Chronicles 13 serves as a powerful illustration of God's faithfulness to those who trust in Him. Abijah's reign, though brief, demonstrates the importance of standing firm on God's word and relying on His power in the face of overwhelming odds. The chapter encourages believers to prioritize faithfulness over pragmatism, knowing that God honors those who honor Him. The story of Abijah and Jeroboam is a timeless reminder that true strength lies not in numbers or worldly power, but in a steadfast relationship with the Lord.
Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah.
He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour.
And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;
Ought ye not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?
Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord.
And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.
And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the Lord in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.
Have ye not cast out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.
But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the Lord, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business:
And they burn unto the Lord every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the Lord our God; but ye have forsaken him.
And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the Lord God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.
But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.
And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the Lord, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.
Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand.
And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.
Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the Lord God of their fathers.
And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Beth–el with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephrain with the towns thereof.
Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the Lord struck him, and he died.
But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.
And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the story of the prophet Iddo.
II Chronicles 13 recounts a pivotal moment in the divided kingdom era, highlighting the reign of Abijah, king of Judah, and his confrontation with Jeroboam, king of Israel. This chapter offers valuable insights into faith, leadership, and the consequences of obedience and disobedience. It serves as a powerful reminder that true strength lies not in numbers, but in unwavering dependence on God.
Abijah's Appeal to Israel (II Chronicles 13:1-12)
The chronicler sets the stage by detailing the war between Abijah and Jeroboam (II Chronicles 13:1-2). The sheer disparity in military strength is immediately apparent: Israel's forces outnumbered Judah's by a staggering two to one (II Chronicles 13:3). Yet, before engaging in battle, Abijah makes a remarkable attempt to avert bloodshed. He addresses Jeroboam and the Israelite army, delivering a powerful speech that lays bare the heart of the conflict (II Chronicles 13:4-12).
Abijah's address is a carefully constructed argument, appealing to Israel's sense of history and justice. He reminds them that the kingdom rightfully belongs to David and his descendants, a claim grounded in God's eternal covenant (II Chronicles 13:5). He doesn't shy away from criticizing Jeroboam's leadership, characterizing his followers as "worthless and wicked men" (II Chronicles 13:7). While this may reflect a son's defense of his father, Rehoboam, it also underscores the fundamental issue of legitimacy and divine authority.
A crucial part of Abijah's argument centers on the issue of worship. He points out that Israel's army is being led by the golden calves Jeroboam had established and the unauthorized priests he had appointed (II Chronicles 13:8-9). In stark contrast, Abijah declares, "As for us, the LORD is our God" (II Chronicles 13:10). He emphasizes that Judah remains faithful to the divinely ordained worship practices, with priests and Levites offering sacrifices at the temple in Jerusalem as prescribed long ago (II Chronicles 13:11). Abijah concludes his speech with a direct plea to Jeroboam, urging him not to attack Judah, which he equates to fighting against the Lord God Himself. He warns Jeroboam, "you will not succeed" (II Chronicles 13:12).
Victory Through Dependence on God (II Chronicles 13:13-18)
Despite Abijah's earnest appeal, Jeroboam's army launches an ambush even as he speaks (II Chronicles 13:13). Judah finds itself outnumbered and surrounded, a seemingly hopeless situation. However, their response is one of faith and reliance on God. They cry out to the Lord in worship (II Chronicles 13:14). As the priests blow the trumpets, signaling God's presence and call to battle, Judah's soldiers engage the men of Israel.
The chronicler emphasizes that God heard Judah's cry for help. He reports that "God routed Jeroboam and all Israel" (II Chronicles 13:15). The victory is unequivocally attributed to divine intervention. II Chronicles 13:18 clearly states that the forces of Judah were victorious "because they depended on the LORD, the God of their ancestors." This verse encapsulates the central theme of the chapter: true victory comes not through military might, but through unwavering faith in God.
Consequences and Transition (II Chronicles 13:19-22)
The consequences of the battle are significant. Jeroboam's power wanes, and "the LORD struck him and he died" (II Chronicles 13:20). Meanwhile, Abijah "grew strong" (II Chronicles 13:21), solidifying his position as king of Judah. The chapter concludes with the transition of power as Abijah dies and his son Asa ascends to the throne (II Chronicles 14:1).
II Chronicles 13 serves as a powerful illustration of God's faithfulness to those who trust in Him. Abijah's reign, though brief, demonstrates the importance of standing firm on God's word and relying on His power in the face of overwhelming odds. The chapter encourages believers to prioritize faithfulness over pragmatism, knowing that God honors those who honor Him. The story of Abijah and Jeroboam is a timeless reminder that true strength lies not in numbers or worldly power, but in a steadfast relationship with the Lord.