II Chronicles 13:2
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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.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
We have here a much fuller account of the reign of Abijah, the son of Rehoboam, than we had in the Kings. There we found that his character was no better than his father's - he "walked in the sins of his father, and his heart was not right with God," Kg1 15:2, Kg1 15:3. But here we find him more brave and successful in war than his father was. He reigned but three years, and was chiefly famous for a glorious victory he obtained over the forces of Jeroboam. Here we have, I. The armies brought into the field on both sides (Ch2 13:3). The remonstrance which Abijah made before the battle, setting forth the justice of his cause (Ch2 13:4-12). III. The distress which Judah was brought into by the policy of Jeroboam (Ch2 13:13, Ch2 13:14). IV. The victory they obtained notwithstanding, by the power of God (Ch2 13:15-20). V. The conclusion of Abijah's reign (Ch2 13:21, Ch2 13:22).
Open source ↗13:2-3 The ongoing conflict between Rehoboam and Jeroboam (see 12:15) carried into the reign of Abijah. Abijah might have been attempting to reunite north and south, as is suggested by his speech (13:5-12). The large numbers of soldiers on each side correspond approximately to David’s census (2 Sam 24:9); Israel’s double number of soldiers magnifies God’s intervention on behalf of Judah (2 Chr 13:14-19).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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After her, he married Maacah daughter of Absalom, and she bore to him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.
That evening an old man from the hill country of Ephraim, who was residing in Gibeah (the men of that place were Benjamites), came in from his work in the field.
Zelah, Haeleph, Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah, and Kiriath-jearim—fourteen cities, along with their villages. This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Benjamin.
Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, and the men of valor whose hearts God had touched went with him.
So they continued on their journey, and the sun set as they neared Gibeah in Benjamin.
and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom.