Topical Encyclopedia Abijam, also known as Abijah, was a king of Judah who reigned in Jerusalem. He was the son of Rehoboam and the grandson of Solomon, making him a member of the Davidic line. His mother was Maacah, the daughter of Abishalom. Abijam's reign is recorded in the biblical books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles.Reign and Character: Abijam's reign is noted for its brevity and for the continuation of practices that were displeasing to the Lord. According to 1 Kings 15:3 , "He 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." Despite this, the Lord allowed Abijam to rule for the sake of David, as stated in 1 Kings 15:4 : "Nevertheless, for the sake of David, the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and by making Jerusalem strong." Military Conflict: Abijam's reign was marked by conflict with Jeroboam, the king of Israel. The chronicler provides a more detailed account of this conflict in 2 Chronicles 13. Abijam, standing on Mount Zemaraim, addressed Jeroboam and the Israelites, reminding them of the covenant between God and David. He accused Jeroboam of leading Israel into idolatry and rebellion. Despite being outnumbered, Abijam's forces were victorious because they relied on the Lord, as described in 2 Chronicles 13:18 : "Thus the Israelites were subdued at that time, and the people of Judah prevailed because they relied on the LORD, the God of their fathers." Religious Practices: Abijam's reign did not see significant religious reforms. The high places were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. His heart was not fully devoted to God, contrasting with the idealized devotion of his ancestor David. Succession: Abijam reigned for three years in Jerusalem. Upon his death, he was succeeded by his son Asa, who is noted for his religious reforms and efforts to bring Judah back to the worship of the Lord. Asa's reign marked a significant departure from the practices of his father, as he sought to remove idolatry and restore the worship of Yahweh. References in Scripture: · 1 Kings 15:1-8 · 2 Chronicles 13:1-22 Abijam's account serves as a reminder of the complexities of the kings of Judah, who often struggled between the influences of their predecessors and the covenantal expectations set by God. His reign, though short, is a part of the larger narrative of the Davidic dynasty and its role in the history of Israel and Judah. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 15:8And Abijam slept with his fathers; and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 14:1 Library The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ... The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Resources Who was King Abijah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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