II Chronicles 13
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Abijah begins to reign over Judah, and has war with Jeroboam, Ch2 13:1-3. His speech from Mount Zemaraim to Jeroboam, before the commencement of hostilities, Ch2 13:4-12. While thus engaged, Jeroboam despatches some troops which come on the rear of Abijah's army, Ch2 13:13. Perceiving this, they cry unto the Lord, and the Israelites are defeated with the loss of five hundred thousand men, Ch2 13:14-18. Abijah retakes several cities from Jeroboam, who is smitten by the Lord, and dies, Ch2 13:19, Ch2 13:20. Abijah's marriages and issue, Ch2 13:21, Ch2 13:22.
Open source ↗ABIJAH, SUCCEEDING, MAKES WAR AGAINST JEROBOAM, AND OVERCOMES HIM. (2Ch. 13:1-20) His mother's name also was Michaiah, the daughter of Uriel--the same as Maachah (see on Kg1 15:2). She was "the daughter," that is, granddaughter of Absalom (Kg1 15:2; compare 2Sa. 14:1-33), mother of Abijah, "mother," that is, grandmother (Kg1 15:10, Margin) of Asa. of Gibeah--probably implies that Uriel was connected with the house of Saul. there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam--The occasion of this war is not recorded (see Kg1 15:6-7), but it may be inferred from the tenor of Abijah's address that it arose from his youthful ambition to recover the full hereditary dominion of his ancestors. No prophet now forbade a war with Israel (Ch2 11:23) for Jeroboam had forfeited all claim to protection.
Open source ↗Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah.; see Gill on Kg1 15:1. . 2 Chronicles 13:2 ch2 13:2 ch2 13:2 ch2 13:2He reigned three years in Jerusalem,.... See Gill on Kg1 15:2, his mother's name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah; see Ch2 11:20; see Gill on Kg1 15:2. and there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam; and in this chapter is an account of a battle fought between them, not recorded in the book of Kings.
Open source ↗The commencement and duration of the reign, as in Kg1 15:1-2. Abijah's mother is here (Ch2 13:2) called Michaiah instead of Maachah, as in Ch2 11:20 and Kg1 15:2, but it can hardly be a second name which Maachah had received for some unknown reason; probably מיכיהו is a mere orthographical error for מעכה. She is here called, not the daughter = granddaughter of Abishalom, but after her father, the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah; see on Ch2 11:20. (Note: Against this Bertheau remarks, after the example of Thenius: "When we consider that the wife of Abijah and mother of Asa was also called Maachah, Kg1 15:13; Ch2 15:16, and that in Kg1 15:2 this Maachah is again called the daughter of Abishalom, and that this latter statement is not met with in the Chronicle, we are led to conjecture that Maachah, the mother of Abijah, the daughter of Abishalom, has been confounded with Maachah the mother of Asa, the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah, and that in our passage Asa's mother is erroneously named instead of the mother of Abijah." This conjecture is a strange fabric of perverted facts and inconsequential reasoning. In Kg1 15:2 Abijam's mother is called Maachah the daughter of Abishalom, exactly as in Ch2 11:20 and Ch2 11:21; and in Kg1 15:13, in perfect agreement with Ch2 15:16, it is stated that Asa removed Maachah from the dignity of Gebira because she had made herself a statute of Asherah. This Maachah, deposed by Asa, is called in Kg1 15:10 the daughter of Abishalom, and only this latter remark is omitted from the Chronicle. How from these statements we must conclude that the mother of Abijah, Maachah the daughter of Abishalom, has been confounded with Maachah the mother of Asa, the daughter of Uriel, we cannot see. The author of the book of Kings knows only one Maachah, the daughter…
Open source ↗Abijah's mother was called Maachah, the daughter of Absalom, Ch2 11:20; here she is called Michaiah, the daughter of Uriel. It is most probable that she was a grand-daughter of Absalom, by his daughter Tamar (Sa2 14:27), and that her immediate father was this Uriel. But we are here to attend Abijah into the field of battle with Jeroboam king of Israel. I. God gave him leave to engage with Jeroboam, and owned him in the conflict, though he would not permit Rehoboam to do it, Ch2 11:4. 1. Jeroboam, it is probable, was now the aggressor, and what Abijah did was in his own necessary defence. Jeroboam, it may be, happening to survive Rehoboam, claimed the crown of Judah be survivorship, at least hoped to get it from this young king, upon his accession to the throne. Against these impudent pretensions it was brave in Abijah to take up arms, and God stood by him. 2. When Rehoboam attempted to recover his ten tribes Jeroboam was upon his good behaviour, and there must be some trial of him; but now that he had discovered what manner of man he was, by setting up the calves and casting off the priests, Abijah is allowed to chastise him, and it does not appear that he intended any more; whereas Rehoboam aimed at no less than the utter reduction of the ten tribes, which was contrary to the counsel of God. II. Jeroboam's army was double in number to that of Abijah (Ch2 13:3), for he had ten tribes to raise an army out of, while Abijah had but two. Of the army on both sides it is said, they were mighty men, chosen men, and valiant; but the army of Judah consisted only of 400,000, while Jeroboam's army amounted to 800,000. The inferior number however proved victorious; for the battle is not always to the strong nor the cause to the majority. III. Abijah, before he fought them, reasoned…
Open source ↗13:1 Abijah is called Abijam in Kings (e.g., 1 Kgs 15:1). Abijam, possibly the Canaanite form of his name, would mean “my father is Yam.” Yam was the Canaanite sea-god prominent in the Baal stories (see study note on Job 7:12). Abijah means “my father is Yah,” the usual short form for Yahweh, the God of Judah. Abijah reigned from 913 to 910 BC.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יָרׇבְעָם (Yârobʻâm, H3379) — Jarobam, the name of two Israelite kings אֲבִיָּה (ʼĂbîyâh, H29) — Abijah, the name of several Israelite men and two Israelitesses מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the…
Open source ↗מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… מִיכָיָהוּ (Mîykâyâhûw, H4322) — Mikajah, the name of an Israelite and an Israelitess בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… אוּרִיאֵל (ʼÛwrîyʼêl, H222) — Uriel, the name of two Israelites גִּבְעָה (Gibʻâh, H1390) — Gibah; the name of three places in Palestine מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) אֲבִיָּה (ʼĂbîyâh, H29) — Abijah, the name of several Israelite men and two Israelitesses יָרׇבְעָם (Yârobʻâm, H3379) — Jarobam, the name of two Israelite kings
Open source ↗אֲבִיָּה (ʼĂbîyâh, H29) — Abijah, the name of several Israelite men and two Israelitesses אָסַר (ʼâçar, H631) — to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יָרׇבְעָם (Yârobʻâm, H3379) — Jarobam, the name of two Israelite kings עָרַךְ (ʻârak, H6186) — to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications) שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)…
Open source ↗אֲבִיָּה (ʼĂbîyâh, H29) — Abijah, the name of several Israelite men and two Israelitesses קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) צְמָרַיִם (Tsᵉmârayim, H6787) — Tsemarajim, a place in Palestine אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… יָרׇבְעָם (Yârobʻâm, H3379) — Jarobam, the name of two Israelite kings יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) מֶלַח (melach, H4417) — properly, powder, i.e. (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved)
Open source ↗יָרׇבְעָם (Yârobʻâm, H3379) — Jarobam, the name of two Israelite kings בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נְבָט (Nᵉbâṭ, H5028) — Nebat, the father of Jeroboam I עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) מָרַד (mârad, H4775) — to rebel אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
Open source ↗קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect רֵיק (rêyq, H7386) — empty; figuratively, worthless אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בְּלִיַּעַל (bᵉlîyaʻal, H1100) — without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness אָמַץ (ʼâmats, H553) — to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage) רְחַבְעָם (Rᵉchabʻâm, H7346) — Rechabam, an Israelite king שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… רַךְ (rak, H7390) — tender (literally or figuratively); by implication, weak לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) הָמוֹן (hâmôwn, H1995) — a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky עֵגֶל (ʻêgel, H5695) — a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e. a steer) יָרׇבְעָם (Yârobʻâm, H3379) — Jarobam, the name of two Israelite kings עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗נָדַח (nâdach, H5080) — to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… פַּר (par, H6499) — a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work…
Open source ↗קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning עֶרֶב (ʻereb, H6153) — dusk עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) סַם (çam, H5561) — an aroma קְטֹרֶת (qᵉṭôreth, H7004) — a fumigation לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) מַעֲרֶכֶת (maʻăreketh, H4635) — an arrangement, i.e. (concretely) a pile (of loaves) טָהוֹר (ṭâhôwr, H2889) — pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense) שֻׁלְחָן (shulchân, H7979) — a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal מְנוֹרָה (mᵉnôwrâh, H4501) — a chandelier זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky נִיר (nîyr, H5216) — a lamp (i.e. the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… תְּרוּעָה (tᵉrûwʻâh, H8643) — clamor, i.e. acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangorof trumpets, as an… חֲצֹצְרָה (chătsôtsᵉrâh, H2689) — a trumpet (from its sundered or quavering note) רוּעַ (rûwaʻ, H7321) — to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e. shout… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application צָלַח (tsâlach, H6743) — to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
Open source ↗יָרׇבְעָם (Yârobʻâm, H3379) — Jarobam, the name of two Israelite kings מַאֲרָב (maʼărâb, H3993) — an ambuscade בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the…
Open source ↗יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… פָּנָה (pânâh, H6437) — to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc. מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אָחוֹר (ʼâchôwr, H268) — the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West צָעַק (tsâʻaq, H6817) — to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… חָצַר (châtsar, H2690) — to trumpet, i.e. blow on that instrument חֲצֹצְרָה (chătsôtsᵉrâh, H2689) — a trumpet (from its sundered or quavering note)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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