2 Chronicles 13

2 Chronicles 13:1

B. King Abijah (Chap. 13)13:1-3 Abijah, whose mother’s name was Michaiah, became the next king and reigned three years in Jerusalem. First Kings 15 mentions his sin in not following after the Lord, as David had done. But Chronicles skips over everything in Abijah’s reign except one battle with Jeroboam. 13:4-12 In his speech before the battle, Abijah reminded Jeroboam that God had given the kingdom to David and to his posterity. Jeroboam had rebelled against the Davidic dynasty and had mustered a band of worthless rogues against Rehoboam when the latter was virtually defenseless. Israel hoped to win the victory because of its superior numbers and the golden calves. Israel had set up a counterfeit priesthood which men could enter without divine authorization. Judah, by contrast, clung to the Levitical priesthood, which was still serving the Lord in the prescribed manner. God was the Captain of Judah’s army, and His priests used their trumpets to sound the alarm against Israel. It was folly, therefore, for the northern tribe to fight against the LORD God. 13:13-18 Instead of listening to Abijah, Jeroboam set an ambush. When the trap closed on Judah, the men cried out to the LORD and the priests blew the trumpets. The Lord answered by giving Judah a great victory. Five hundred thousand choice men of Israel fella staggering price to pay for turning away from God! 13:19-22 Abijah acquired additional territory, although he didn’t completely subdue Israel. The loss was devastating for Jeroboam, who was later struck down by the LORD. But Abijah became powerful and prosperous.