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 Michaiah 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 valor.
4 And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;
5 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?
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 Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, 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 your 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 wait upon their business:
11 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.
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 ye shall not prosper.
13 But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.
14 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.
15 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.
16 And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand.
17 And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.
18 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.
19 And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Bethel with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephraim with the towns thereof.
20 Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the LORD struck him, and he died.
21 But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.
22 And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the story of the prophet Iddo.
The book of 2 Chronicles is a continuation of the history of the Israelites, following the reigns of King David and King Solomon as recorded in the book of 1 Chronicles. The book of 2 Chronicles focuses on the kings of Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, and their relationship with God. Chapter 13 is a pivotal chapter in this book, as it chronicles the reign of Abijah, the son of Rehoboam and grandson of King Solomon.
Before delving into the details of chapter 13, it is important to understand the context in which it takes place. After the death of King Solomon, the kingdom of Israel was divided into two: the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. The northern kingdom was ruled by Jeroboam, who led the people into idolatry and away from the worship of God. The southern kingdom, on the other hand, was ruled by Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, who initially followed in his father's footsteps but later turned away from God.
Abijah, the main character in chapter 13, was the son of Rehoboam and the grandson of Solomon. He became the king of Judah after the death of his father and was faced with the challenge of restoring the kingdom to its former glory and leading the people back to the worship of God.
There are several themes that can be identified in chapter 13 of 2 Chronicles. These themes include:
1. The Importance of Faithfulness to God
Throughout the book of 2 Chronicles, we see a pattern of kings who either followed or turned away from God. The reign of Abijah is no different. In verse 2, it is mentioned that Abijah "walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him." This indicates that Abijah did not follow the ways of God, as his father Rehoboam had also turned away from God.
However, in verse 4, we see a change in Abijah's attitude. He gathers an army of 400,000 valiant men to fight against Jeroboam, the king of Israel. In verse 18, he boldly proclaims to Jeroboam and his army, "God is with us as our leader. His priests with their trumpets will sound the battle cry against you. People of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed."
This shows that Abijah had a change of heart and realized the importance of being faithful to God. He acknowledges that God is their leader and that they cannot succeed in battle without Him. This theme of faithfulness to God is a recurring one throughout the Bible, and chapter 13 serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of remaining faithful to Him.
2. The Consequences of Disobedience
Another prominent theme in chapter 13 is the consequences of disobedience. We see this through the example of Jeroboam, the king of Israel. Jeroboam had led the people into idolatry, and God had warned him of the consequences of his actions. In verse 9, Abijah reminds Jeroboam of this warning, saying, "But you have 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."
This verse highlights the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. Jeroboam had disregarded God's instructions and had set up his own priests, leading the people away from the true worship of God. As a result, he and his people were facing defeat at the hands of Abijah and the army of Judah.
This theme serves as a warning to us to obey God's commands and not turn away from Him, as there are always consequences for our actions.
3. The Power of Prayer
One of the most significant events in chapter 13 is the battle between Abijah and Jeroboam. Abijah, despite having a smaller army, trusts in God and prays for His help. In verse 14, he says, "God, we depend on you. We have come against this huge army in your name. You are our God. Do not let mere humans stand against you!"
This prayer is a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking God's help and guidance in times of trouble. Abijah recognizes that their strength and victory come from God alone and acknowledges His power and sovereignty. This prayer is a testament to the power of prayer and the importance of relying on God in all situations.
4. The Importance of Unity
In verse 12, Abijah reminds Jeroboam that the people of Judah have God on their side, while the people of Israel have turned away from Him. This highlights the importance of unity among God's people. The kingdom of Israel was divided because of their disobedience and lack of unity. In contrast, the people of Judah were united in their faith and trust in God, which ultimately led to their victory.
This theme serves as a reminder to Christians to stand united in their faith and not allow division and disunity to weaken them.
Chapter 13 of 2 Chronicles holds several important lessons for us as Christians. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of remaining faithful to Him. It also highlights the power of prayer and the importance of seeking God's help and guidance in all situations. Additionally, it emphasizes the significance of unity among God's people and the strength that comes from standing together in faith.
Furthermore, chapter 13 also foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, who would ultimately bring unity and salvation to all who believe in Him. Abijah's prayer for God to not let mere humans stand against Him foreshadows the ultimate victory of Jesus over sin and death through His death and resurrection.
In conclusion, chapter 13 of 2 Chronicles is a significant chapter in the Bible, as it not only chronicles the reign of Abijah but also highlights important themes and lessons for us as Christians. It serves as a reminder to remain faithful to God, seek His help through prayer, and stand united in our faith. It also points to the ultimate victory and salvation that comes through Jesus Christ.
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