Name Meaning: The name "Abijah" means "My Father is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is my Father." The variant "Abijam" is used in some biblical texts, particularly in the context of the kings of Judah.

Biblical References:
1. Abijah, Son of Rehoboam: Abijah, also known as Abijam, was the son of Rehoboam and the grandson of Solomon. He became the king of Judah and reigned for three years. His reign is recorded in 1 Kings 15:1-8 and 2 Chronicles 13:1-22.

· 1 Kings 15:1-3 : "In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijam became king of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom. Abijam walked in all the sins his father had committed before him, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of his forefather David had been."

· 2 Chronicles 13:1-2 : "In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam, Abijah became king of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Micaiah daughter of Uriel from Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam."

Abijah's reign was marked by conflict with Jeroboam, the king of Israel. Despite his shortcomings, Abijah delivered a notable speech before a battle with Jeroboam, emphasizing the covenant with David and the faithfulness of Judah to the LORD (2 Chronicles 13:4-12). The LORD granted him victory over Jeroboam, and Abijah's forces inflicted heavy casualties on the Israelites (2 Chronicles 13:13-20).

2. Abijah, Son of Samuel: Abijah was one of the sons of the prophet Samuel. He, along with his brother Joel, served as a judge in Beersheba. However, they did not follow their father's ways and were corrupt, taking bribes and perverting justice. This led to the Israelites demanding a king to rule over them, which eventually resulted in the anointing of Saul as the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 8:1-5).

· 1 Samuel 8:1-3 : "When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second son was Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice."

3. Abijah, Son of Jeroboam: Abijah was the son of Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel. He fell ill, and Jeroboam sent his wife in disguise to the prophet Ahijah to inquire about the boy's fate. Ahijah prophesied that Abijah would die, but he also noted that Abijah was the only member of Jeroboam's house in whom the LORD found something good (1 Kings 14:1-18).

· 1 Kings 14:12-13 : "As for you, get up and go home. When your feet enter the city, the child will die. All Israel will mourn for him and bury him, for he alone of Jeroboam’s house will be brought to the grave, because in him alone the LORD, the God of Israel, has found something good."

Historical Context: The accounts of Abijah/Abijam reflect the divided monarchy period in Israel's history, characterized by the split between the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. The narratives highlight the ongoing conflict and political instability during this era, as well as the religious and moral challenges faced by the leaders of both kingdoms.

Theological Significance: The accounts of Abijah/Abijam underscore themes of covenant faithfulness, divine judgment, and the complexities of leadership. Abijah's speech in 2 Chronicles 13 emphasizes the importance of loyalty to the Davidic covenant and the worship of Yahweh, contrasting the faithfulness of Judah with the apostasy of Israel under Jeroboam. The accounts also illustrate the consequences of unfaithfulness and the LORD's sovereignty in the affairs of nations and individuals.Abijah or Abijam

(my father is Jehovah).

1. Son and successor of Rehoboam on the throne of Judah. (1 Kings 4:21; 2 Chronicles 12:16) He is called ABIA, ABIAH, OR ABIJAH in Chronicles, ABIJAM in Kings. He began to reign B.C. 959, and reigned three years. He endeavored to recover the kingdom of the Ten Tribes, and made war on Jeroboam. He was successful in battle, and took several of the cities of Israel. We are told that he walked in all the sins of Rehoboam. (1 Kings 14:23,24)
2. The second son of Samuel, called ABIA, ABIAH, OR ABIJAH, ABIA, COURSE OFH in our version. [ABIA, COURSE OF, ABIA, ABIAH, OR ABIJAH, ABIA, COURSE OFH, No. 3]
3. Son of Jeroboam I., king of Israel; died in his childhood. (1 Kings 14:1) ...
4. A descendant of Eleazar, who gave his name to the eighth of the 24 courses into which the priests were divided by David. (1 Chronicles 24:10; 2 Chronicles 8:14; Nehemiah 12:4,17)
5. One of the priests who entered into a covenant with Nehemiah to walk in God's law, (Nehemiah 10:7) unless the name is rather that of a family, and the same with the preceding.

38. Abiyyam -- "father of (the) sea," an Israelite name
... Abijam. From 'ab and yam; father of (the) sea (ie Seaman); Abijam (or Abijah), a
king of Judah -- Abijam. see HEBREW 'ab. see HEBREW yam. 37, 38. Abiyyam. 39 ...
/hebrew/38.htm - 6k

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

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