Abijah Reigns in Judah
(1 Kings 15:1–8)

1In the eighteenth year of Jeroboam’s (the people will contend) reign, Abijah (Abijam)a became king of Judah (praised), 2and he reigned in Jerusalem (city of peace) three years. His mother’s name was Micaiah [Maacah]b daughter (granddaughter)c of Uriel (God is my light); she was from Gibeah (hill).

And there was war between Abijah (YHWH is my father) and Jeroboam (the people will contend). 3Abijah (YHWH is my father) went into battle with an army of 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam (the people will contend) drew up in formation against him with 800,000 chosen and mighty men of valor.

Civil War against Jeroboam

4Then Abijah (YHWH is my father) stood on Mount Zemaraim (double fleece of wool) in the hill country of Ephraim (doubly fruitful) and said, “Hear me, O Jeroboam (the people will contend) and all Israel (he wrestles with God)! 5Do you⁺ not know that the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), has given the kingship of Israel to David (beloved) and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt (a perpetual covenant)d? 6Yet Jeroboam (the people will contend) son of Nebat (aspect), a servant of Solomon (peace) son of David (beloved), rose up and rebelled against his master. 7Then worthless and wicked men gathered around him to resist Rehoboam (a people has enlarged) son of Solomon (peace) when he was young, inexperienced, and unable to resist them.

8And now you⁺ think you can resist the kingdom of the LORD {YHWH}, which is in the hands of David’s (beloved) descendants. You⁺ are indeed a vast army, and you⁺ have with you⁺ the golden calves that Jeroboam (the people will contend) made for you⁺ as gods. 9But did you⁺ not drive out the priests of the LORD {YHWH}, the sons of Aaron (light bringer), and the Levites? And did you⁺ not make priests for yourselves as do the peoples of other lands? Now whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams can become a priest of things that are not gods.

10But as for us, the LORD {YHWH} is our God {Elohenu}. We have not forsaken Him; the priests who minister to the LORD are sons of Aaron (light bringer), and the Levites attend to their duties. 11Every morning and every evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the LORD {YHWH}. They set out the rows of showbread on the ceremonially clean table, and every evening they light the lamps of the gold lampstand. We are carrying out the requirements of the LORD our God {YHWH Elohenu}, while you⁺ have forsaken Him.

12Now behold, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with their trumpets sound the battle call against you⁺. O children of Israel (he wrestles with God), do not fight against the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of your⁺ fathers, for you⁺ will not succeed.”

13Now Jeroboam (the people will contend) had sent troops around to ambush from the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah (praised), the ambush was behind them. 14When Judah (praised) turned and discovered that the battle was both before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD {YHWH}. Then the priests blew the trumpets, 15and the men of Judah (praised) raised the battle cry. And when they raised the cry, God {Elohim} routed Jeroboam (the people will contend) and all Israel (he wrestles with God) before Abijah (YHWH is my father) and Judah.

16So the Israelites (God prevails) fled before Judah (praised), and God {Elohim} delivered them into their hands. 17Then Abijah (YHWH is my father) and his people struck them with a mighty blow, and 500,000 chosen men of Israel (he wrestles with God) fell slain. 18Thus the Israelites (God prevails) were subdued at that time, and the men of Judah (praised) prevailed because they relied on the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of their fathers.

19Abijah (YHWH is my father) pursued Jeroboam (the people will contend) and captured some cities from him: Bethel (house of God), Jeshanah (storage), and Ephron (fawn-like), along with their villages.

20Jeroboam (the people will contend) did not again recover his power during the days of Abijah (YHWH is my father), and the LORD {YHWH} struck him down and he died.

21But Abijah (YHWH is my father) grew strong, married fourteen wives, and became the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters. 22Now the rest of the acts of Abijah (YHWH is my father), along with his ways and his words, are written in the Treatise (Exposition)e of the Prophet Iddo (His witness).