Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary2 Chronicles 13

Eighteenth year. This verse is almost identical with 1 Kings 15:1. In the books of Kings the account of each reign of the monarchs of both Judah and Israel is regularly begun with a cross synchronism with the year of the monarch then reigning in the neighboring kingdom, but this is the only such synchronism found in Chronicles. It should be noted that Chronicles deals primarily with the nation of Judah, mentioning Israel only incidentally. For the probable meaning of “the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam” see on 1 Kings 15:1. Abijah. Spelled “Abijam” in Kings (1 Kings 15:1; etc.).

Michaiah the daughter of Uriel. The parallel account reads: “Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom” (1 Kings 15:2). According to 2 Chron. 11:20–22 Abijah was the son of “Maachah the daughter of Absalom.” It thus seems evident that “Michaiah” is another form of “Maachah.” If Maachah was the granddaughter of Absalom, and a daughter of Tamar, who was the daughter of Absalom (see on 1 Kings 15:2), then Uriel of Gibeah must have been the husband of Tamar. There was war. Compare 1 Kings 15:7, where this war is mentioned in the closing formula of Abijah’s reign.

Four hundred thousand. Compare the numbers here given with the numbers in David’s census, 470,000 men of military age in Judah and 1,100,000 in Israel (1 Chron. 21:5), and with the totals as recorded in 2 Sam. 24:9, of 500,000 fighting men in Judah and 800,000 in Israel.

Mount Zemaraim. The exact location of this mountain is not known.

Gave the kingdom. Abijah upbraided the people of Israel for their revolt, asserting that they had no right to an independent existence apart from Judah, for God gave the kingdom to David forever. Covenant of salt. A firm and inviolable compact (see on Num. 18:19).

The servant of Solomon. See 1 Kings 11:26–28.

Children of Belial. Literally, “sons of worthlessness” (see on Deut. 13:13; Judges 19:22; 1 Kings 21:10). Young and tenderhearted. In the sense that he was inexperienced. Rehoboam was 41 years of age when he began to reign (ch. 12:13).

Kingdom of the Lord. Since the nation of Judah was a continuation of David’s kingdom, which had been established by the Lord, Abijah reasoned that resistance against Judah constituted resistance against God. Golden calves. Abijah derided Israel for venturing to stand up, with only the assistance of the golden calves that Jeroboam had made, against Judah, which had the help of Jehovah.

Cast out the priests. See ch. 11:14. Whosoever cometh. In Israel it was possible for anyone to become a priest, whereas the Lord had ordained that only the descendants of Aaron should officiate in that capacity (see Num. 18:1–7).

The Lord is our God. Judah was still formally loyal to the service of God, although Abijah himself was not wholehearted in serving the Lord (1 Kings 15:3).

We keep the charge. To engage in the observance of the ritual services of the sanctuary was regarded as keeping the charge of Jehovah (see Lev. 8:35; Num. 3:7; 9:19; 18:3–5). However, truly to keep the charge of the Lord involved not only an outward

observance of the services of religion but also an obedience to all the commands of the Lord (see Deut. 11:1; 1 Kings 2:3).

Our captain. The comfort and strength that Judah claimed was that God was with them, to fight their battles and direct their ways (see ch. 32:7, 8). Sounding trumpets. See Num 10:8, 9. Against the Lord. No man who fights against God can hope ultimately to prosper.

An ambushment. Jeroboam relied upon superior tactics, but but Judah put its trust in the Lord. Regardless of the potential success that these tactical moves involved, they could not bring victory against God.

Smote Jeroboam. The victory achieved was won not by men but by God. Men, however, were the instruments in the hand of the Lord to carry out His will.

Into their hand. Without the help of God the forces of Israel were powerless before the people of Judah. Israel, with its idols and calves of gold, fell into the hands of the people of Judah, who placed their trust in the Lord.

Because they relied. The record repeatedly calls attention to the real reason for Judah’s success. Man’s great need is to recognize his dependence upon the mighty hand of the Lord, and to live and work in such a way that the divine presence can be with him. In the last days the faithful remnant who put their confidence in the Lord will not be ashamed (Dan. 12:1).

Beth-el. A city about 11 mi. (17.7 km.) north of Jerusalem. The towns here mentioned did not long remain in the possession of Judah, for according to 1 Kings 15:17–21, Baasha of Israel started to fortify Ramah only a few years later. Ramah was 51/2 mi. (8.8 km.) north of Jerusalem. Jeshanah. Probably Burj el–Isâneh, northwest of Baal-hazor, not far north of Bethel. Ephrain. This town has thus far not been definitely identified. Some think that it was the NT Ophrah, eṭ–Taiyibeh, about 5 mi. (8 km.) northeast of Bethel.

Struck him. No information is available to indicate the precise nature of the stroke.

Waxed mighty. Feeling himself strong and secure after his victory over Jeroboam, Abijah gave himself to luxurious living (see 1 Kings 15:3).

Story of the prophet Iddo. Compare ch. 12:15, where a work of Iddo on genealogies is mentioned.