Abijah

Abijah, also known as Abijam (1 Kings 14:31), was the second king of Judah after the division of the united monarchy. He was the son of Rehoboam and Maacah, the daughter of Absalom (2 Chronicles 11:20). Abijah reigned for three years in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 13:1-2; 1 Kings 15:1-2).

During his reign, there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam, the king of Israel (2 Chronicles 13:3). In a battle at Mount Zemaraim, Abijah addressed the Israelites, emphasizing the legitimacy of the Davidic dynasty and the importance of the Levitical priesthood (2 Chronicles 13:4-12). Despite being outnumbered, Judah prevailed against Israel because they relied on the Lord (2 Chronicles 13:13-18).

Abijah expanded his power, taking cities from Jeroboam and growing stronger (2 Chronicles 13:19-21). However, like his father Rehoboam, Abijah did not fully follow the Lord and allowed idolatry to persist in Judah (1 Kings 15:3). He walked in all the sins of his father and did not have a fully devoted heart like his ancestor David (1 Kings 15:3).

Abijah had fourteen wives and fathered twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters (2 Chronicles 13:21). After his death, his son Asa succeeded him as king (1 Kings 15:8; 2 Chronicles 14:1). Abijah is also mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:7.