2 Chronicles 13

2 Chronicles 13:1-12

Here are, 1. The armies brought into the field by Abijah and Jeroboam, ver. 3. 2. The remonstrance which Abijah made before the battle, setting forth the justice of his cause, ver. 4-12. 3. The disreels which Judah was brought into by the policy of Jeroboam, ver. 13, 14. 4. The visitors they obtained, unmuchhanding, by the power of God, ver. 15-20. 5. The conclusion of Abijah’s reign, ver. 21, 22.

1. NOW in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam, began Abijah to reign over Judah. 2. He

reigned three years in Jerusalem: (his mother’s name also was ‘Michiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah) and there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. 3. 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 valiant. 4. ¶ And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemazam, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, ‘Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel.’ 5. Ought you not to know, that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, ever to him and to his sons: by a covenant of sale? 6. Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord. 7. And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Beilal, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tender-hearted, and could not withstand them. 8. 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. 9. ¶ 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. 10. 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 must upon their bullies. 11. And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt-sacrifices and sweet incense: the Reverbered also fit 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. 12. 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 you shall not prosper.

Abijah is scarce fixed on the throne, before we find him involved in a dangerous war. Perhaps Jeroboam thought to take advantage of him on his accession, as unprepared, and unable to withstand him.

1. Immerse armies on both sides were drawn into the field, but the men of Israel twice as many as those of Judah. The forces were unequal; but what was wanting in number, was more than supplied by the justice of Abijah’s cause.

2. Abijah, if possible to prevent bloodshed, obtains a parley, and tries by force of argument to prevail, rather than by the sword. He fought not conquer, but would gladly part in peace. Every method of accommodation should be tried, before we have recourse to war, or the law, where generally much is lost on both sides, and little gained by either. Abijah with his party being on mount Ephraim, and Jeroboam and his party within hearing, he capodulates with him. (1.) On the injustice of Jeroboam’s design. His former rebellion against his father was perfidious and safe: he had taken advantage of his weakness, during the infancy of his government; and, supported by men apolls from God, and sons of Beilal, had withdrawn ten tribes from their allegiance: yet, not satisfied with this, in opposition to the divine promises, v. 8. he now was impiously attempting to dispelish David’s successes of the latter which was left, and, in so doing, fighting against God, v. 8. by whom the kings of Judah reigned. Note, (1.) Ambition is never satisfied. (2.) Success embolisms sinners. (3.) Prosperous iniquity is but a short-lived joy. (2.) He warns him of the danger to which he exposed himself. What could he hope, as apollate, an idolater, a perfecutor, who had calves for his god, and the spirit of the people for his priests. Little could his numerous army profit him in such a case, whilst Abijah boals of Judah’s fidelity to the great Jehovah; confitant and exact in his worthy at home; supported and strengthened by him, as the captain of their loot; animated by his ministers sounding the silver trumpets, the strength of certain victory. Widely therefore he persuades him to desist from war, and not think to fight against the God of their fathers, since in such case ruin inevitable awaited him. Abijah’s own character we find, Kings xv. 3. was not of the best; yet he maintained God’s worship; and though his own fear was evil, his kingdom was under God’s protection. Note, (1.) They who have God for their enemy, will find all human efforts vain. (2.) It is just in God to give up those to ruin, who apollate from his service. (3.)

Before Gold, the world, on high, may make his power more mightily to appear.

2. His prayer; fervent, humble, believing. He drew near to God as his covenant God, in whose favour and regard he had a sure interest; perishable of his almighty power, against which numbers signified nothing; dependent on his support, and pleading his own glory now engaged, which would be dishonoured, if mortal man should prevail against his cause and people. Note, (1.) When we can say in prayer My God, we shall be heard. (2.) There is no might that can prevail against the Lord. (3.) We need not fear the faces of the mighty man is but a worm: if God be for us, who shall be against us?

3. His prayer was crowned with victory. The enemy in confusion fled, smitten of God with terrible dismay; and Afa and his forces pursued them with great slaughter; forened the cities of their confederates, whither they had run for dysters, struck with a panic fear, and unable to resist; and plundered their camp, the cities, and the country, carrying away immense spoils, and vast droves of cattle.