1 Kings 15:1
1 Kings 15:1 in Multiple Translations
In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijam became king of Judah,
Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah.
Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat began Abijam to reign over Judah.
Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, Abijam became king over Judah.
Abijam became king of Judah in the eighteenth year of the reign of King Jeroboam, son of Nebat.
And in the eighteenth yeere of King Ieroboam the sonne of Nebat, reigned Abiiam ouer Iudah.
And in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam son of Nebat, reigned hath Abijam over Judah;
Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijam began to reign over Judah.
Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah.
Now in the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam the son of Nabat, Abiam reigned over Juda.
After Jeroboam had been the king of Israel for almost 18 years, Abijah became the king of Judah.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 15:1
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Kings 15:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/בִ/שְׁנַת֙
שְׁמֹנֶ֣ה
עֶשְׂרֵ֔ה
לַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
יָרָבְעָ֣ם
בֶּן
נְבָ֑ט
מָלַ֥ךְ
אֲבִיָּ֖ם
עַל
יְהוּדָֽה
וּ/בִ/שְׁנַת֙
shâneh
H8141
year
Conj | Prep | N-fs
שְׁמֹנֶ֣ה
shᵉmôneh
H8083
eight
Adj
עֶשְׂרֵ֔ה
ʻâsâr
H6240
ten
Adj
לַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Prep | N-ms
יָרָבְעָ֣ם
Yârobʻâm
H3379
Jeroboam
N-proper
בֶּן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
נְבָ֑ט
Nᵉbâṭ
H5028
Nebat
N-proper
מָלַ֥ךְ
mâlak
H4427
to reign
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אֲבִיָּ֖ם
ʼĂbîyâm
H38
Abijam
N-proper
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
יְהוּדָֽה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
Judah
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 15:1
וּ/בִ/שְׁנַת֙
shâneh
H8141
"year"
Conj | Prep | N-fs
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
שְׁמֹנֶ֣ה
shᵉmôneh
H8083
"eight"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number eight, which was considered a special number in biblical times. It is used to describe quantities, such as eight days or eight years, and also appears in ordinal forms, like eighth or eighth day.
Definition: 1) eight, eighth 1a) eight (as cardinal number) 1b) eighth (as ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: eight(-een, -eenth), eighth. See also: Genesis 5:4; 1 Chronicles 16:38; Jeremiah 32:1.
עֶשְׂרֵ֔ה
ʻâsâr
H6240
"ten"
Adj
In Hebrew, this word means ten, and is used to form numbers like eleven or thirteen, as seen in Genesis 31:41. It is always used in combination with other numbers.
Definition: 1) ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers) 1a) used only in combination to make the numbers 11-19
Usage: Occurs in 292 OT verses. KJV: (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). See also: Genesis 5:8; Joshua 21:7; 1 Chronicles 25:27.
לַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
יָרָבְעָ֣ם
Yârobʻâm
H3379
"Jeroboam"
N-proper
Jeroboam means the people will contend, the name of two Israelite kings. The first Jeroboam was the king of the northern kingdom of Israel after Solomon's death, mentioned in 2 Kings 13:13.
Definition: A king of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.13.13; son of: Joash (H3101J); father of: Zechariah (H2148P) § Jeroboam = "the people will contend" 1) the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel when the kingdom split at the death of Solomon and the 10 tribes split off from Judah and Benjamin and the kingdom under Solomon's son Rehoboam; idolatry was introduced at the beginning of his reign 2) the 8th king of the northern kingdom of Israel, son of Joash, and 4th in the dynasty of Jehu; during his reign the Syrian invaders were repelled and the kingdom restored to its former borders but the idolatry of the kingdom was maintained
Usage: Occurs in 95 OT verses. KJV: Jeroboam. See also: 1 Kings 11:26; 1 Kings 22:53; Amos 7:11.
בֶּן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
נְבָ֑ט
Nᵉbâṭ
H5028
"Nebat"
N-proper
Nebat was Jeroboam I's father, an Ephraimite from Zereda, mentioned in 1 Kings 11:26. He lived during the United Monarchy and was married to Zeruah. Nebat means 'aspect' in Hebrew.
Definition: A man of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.11.26; married to Zeruah (H6871); father of: Jeroboam (H3379) § Nebat = "aspect" an Ephraimite of Zereda, father of king Jeroboam I of the northern kingdom of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: Nebat. See also: 1 Kings 11:26; 2 Kings 13:2; 2 Chronicles 13:6.
מָלַ֥ךְ
mâlak
H4427
"to reign"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To advise or counsel is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to reign or rule as a king. It is used in the Bible to describe the actions of leaders, like King Solomon, who sought wisdom to rule God's people. This word is found in the book of 1 Kings.
Definition: 1) to be or become king or queen, reign 1a) (Qal) to be or become king or queen, reign 1b) (Hiphil) to make one king or queen, cause to reign 1c) (Hophal) to be made king or queen
Usage: Occurs in 284 OT verses. KJV: consult, [idiom] indeed, be (make, set a, set up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign(-ing), rule, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 36:31; 2 Kings 8:15; 2 Chronicles 10:17.
אֲבִיָּ֖ם
ʼĂbîyâm
H38
"Abijam"
N-proper
Abijam, also known as Abijah, was a king of Judah who lived during the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is mentioned in 1 Kings 14:31 and is the son of Rehoboam and the father of Asa.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.14.31; son of: Rehoboam (H7346) and Maacah (H4601K); brother of: Attai (H6262I), Ziza (H2124H) and Shelomith (H8019); father of: Asa (H0609); half-brother of: Jeush (H3266K), Shemariah (H8114H) and Zaham (H2093); also called Abijam (KJV: Abia) at 1Ki.14.31; 15.1,7,8; Another name of a.viy.yah (אֲבִיָּ֫הוּ, אֲבִיָּה "Abijah" H0029I) § Abijam = "my father is the sea" or "Yah(u) is (my) father" king of Judah, son and successor of Rehoboam
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: Abijam. See also: 1 Kings 14:31; 1 Kings 15:7; 1 Kings 15:8.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יְהוּדָֽה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
"Judah"
N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 15:1
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Kings 15:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 15:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 15:1
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:1
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:1
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 15:1
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:1
- Sermons on 1 Kings 15:1
Context — Abijam Reigns in Judah
1In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijam became king of Judah,
2and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom. 3And Abijam walked in all the sins that his father before him had committed, and his heart was not as fully devoted to the LORD his God as the heart of David his forefather had been.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 14:31 | And Rehoboam rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David; his mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite. And his son Abijam reigned in his place. |
| 2 | 2 Chronicles 13:1–22 | In the eighteenth year of Jeroboam’s reign, Abijah became king of Judah, 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. Then Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim in the hill country of Ephraim and said, “Hear me, O Jeroboam and all Israel! Do you not know that the LORD, the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt ? Yet Jeroboam son of Nebat, a servant of Solomon son of David, rose up and rebelled against his master. Then worthless and wicked men gathered around him to resist Rehoboam son of Solomon when he was young, inexperienced, and unable to resist them. And now you think you can resist the kingdom of the LORD, which is in the hands of David’s descendants. You are indeed a vast army, and you have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made for you as gods. But did you not drive out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites? And did you not make priests for yourselves as do the peoples of other lands? Now whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams can become a priest of things that are not gods. 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.” Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to ambush from the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah, the ambush was behind them. When Judah turned and discovered that the battle was both before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets, and the men of Judah raised the battle cry. And when they raised the cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. So the Israelites fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hands. Then Abijah and his people struck them with a mighty blow, and 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell slain. 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. Abijah pursued Jeroboam and captured some cities from him: Bethel, Jeshanah, and Ephron, along with their villages. Jeroboam did not again recover his power during the days of Abijah, and the LORD struck him down and he died. But Abijah grew strong, married fourteen wives, and became the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters. Now the rest of the acts of Abijah, along with his ways and his words, are written in the Treatise of the Prophet Iddo. |
1 Kings 15:1 Summary
This verse tells us that Abijam became the king of Judah during the eighteenth year of Jeroboam's reign in Israel. This helps us understand when Abijam started ruling Judah. The fact that Abijam's reign is mentioned in relation to Jeroboam's shows us that God is in control of all the kingdoms of the world, as taught in Daniel 4:17. We can learn from the example of the kings of Judah and Israel to seek God's guidance and wisdom in our own lives, just as we see in Proverbs 3:5-6, and to trust in His sovereignty, as proclaimed in Psalm 103:19.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Abijam's father?
Abijam's father was Rehoboam, the first king of Judah, as mentioned in 1 Kings 14:31, but the Bible does not explicitly state this in 1 Kings 15:1, it is implied from the previous chapters.
How long did Abijam reign as king of Judah?
According to 1 Kings 15:2, Abijam reigned in Jerusalem for three years, but this information is found in the next verse, not in 1 Kings 15:1.
What can we learn about the timing of Abijam's reign?
1 Kings 15:1 tells us that Abijam became king of Judah in the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which helps us understand the chronology of the kings of Judah and Israel, as also seen in 1 Kings 12:1-33.
Why is the reign of Jeroboam mentioned in this verse?
The reign of Jeroboam is mentioned to provide a reference point for the timing of Abijam's reign, as the kingdoms of Israel and Judah coexisted and their histories are intertwined, much like in 2 Chronicles 12:1-16.
Reflection Questions
- What can we learn from the fact that Abijam's reign is mentioned in relation to Jeroboam's reign, and how does this impact our understanding of God's sovereignty over the kingdoms of Israel and Judah?
- How does the transition of power from one king to another, as seen in this verse, reflect the human experience and the need for godly leadership, as taught in Proverbs 29:2?
- In what ways can we apply the lessons learned from the kings of Judah and Israel to our own lives, particularly in regards to seeking God's guidance and wisdom, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6?
- What role do you think the relationship between the kings of Judah and Israel played in shaping the history of God's people, and how can we learn from their examples, both positive and negative, as seen in 2 Chronicles 30:1-27?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 15:1
Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 15:1
Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah. Abijam. His name was at first Abijah (2 Chronicles 12:16), 'Jah,' the name of God, according to an ancient fashion, being conjoined with it.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:1
1 KINGS CHAPTER 15 Abijam followeth his father’ s sins; God however keepeth promise: he dieth, and Asa his son succeedeth him, . His good reign, . Baasha wareth against him: he maketh a league with Ben-hadad, . He dieth, and Jehoshaphat succeedeth him, ,24. Nadab’ s wicked reign: Baasha slayeth him; destroyeth his father’ s house, and succeeds him: his wicked reign, . Object. How can this be, when he reigned three years, , and Asa his successor began his reign in the twentieth year of Jeroboam, ? Answ. Parts of years are commonly called and accounted years, both in the Old and New Testament, and in profane writers. So his reign began with Jeroboam’ s eighteenth year, and continued his whole nineteenth year, and ended within his twentieth year, in which also Asa’ s reign began.
And thus one and the same year may well be, as it frequently is, attributed to two several persons.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:1
1 Kings 15:1 Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah.Ver. 1. Reigned Abijam.] Called also Abijah. Abijah signifieth, The Lord is my father: so his father called him, likely, with respect to that promise made to David; but because he walked not in the ways of David, therefore is Abijah called Abijam, which signifieth, My father is a sea. Indeed, Rehoboam was inconstant in good, wavering "like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and tossed."
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:1
(1) Abijam.—The form of the name given in 2 Chronicles 13, “Abijah,” is probably correct, as having a more distinct significance. The variation here, if not (as some think) a mere false reading, may have been made for the sake of distinction from the son of Jeroboam.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:1
CHAPTER XV Abijam's wicked reign, and death, 1-8. Asa succeeds him in the kingdom of Judah, and rules well, 9-15. He makes a league with the king of Syria against Baasha king of Israel, who is obliged to desist in his attempts against Judah, 16-22. He is diseased in his feet and dies, and is succeeded by his son Jehoshaphat, 23-25. Nadab, son of Jeroboam, reigns over Israel; but is slain by Baasha, who reigns in ha stead, 26-28. Baasha destroys all the house of Jeroboam, according to the prediction of Ahijah, 29, 30. Baasha continues the idolatry of Jeroboam, 31-34. NOTES ON CHAP. XV Verse 1. Reigned Abijam over Judah.] Of this son of Rehoboam, of his brethren, and of Rehoboam's family in general, see 2 Chron. 12, where many particulars are added.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 15:1
Ch. 1 Kings 15:1-8. Abijam, king of Judah (2 Chronicles 13:1-2) 1. reigned Abijam over Judah] Better, with R.V. began Abijam to reign. This is the sense of the verb here, though in the next verse it must be simply ‘reigned.’ The A.V. renders it ‘began to reign’ in 1 Kings 15:25 of this chapter, and elsewhere. Abijam] The LXX. adds ‘son of Rehoboam.’ The name is Abijah in 2 Chron., and, comparing with other names of like formation, that appears the more correct.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:1
ABIJAM’S REIGN, 1 Kings 15:1-9. 2. Three years — As Abijam began to reign in the eighteenth and his son in the twentieth year of Jeroboam, (compare 1 Kings 15:1; 1 Kings 15:9,) his reign must have been less than three full years.
Sermons on 1 Kings 15:1
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(1 Kings) Why Dynasties Come and Go by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker begins by reminding the audience of the previous events in the book of First Kings, specifically the transition of power from David to Solomon. They hig |