Topical Bible: Israel: War Continued Between Jeroboam and Abijam

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The conflict between Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, and Abijam (also known as Abijah), the king of Judah, is a significant episode in the divided monarchy period of Israel's history. This period is marked by political strife and religious divergence following the united monarchy under Saul, David, and Solomon.

Background

Jeroboam, originally an official under King Solomon, became the ruler of the northern tribes after the kingdom split due to Solomon's idolatry and heavy taxation. Jeroboam's reign is characterized by his establishment of alternative worship centers in Bethel and Dan, leading Israel into idolatry to prevent his subjects from returning to Jerusalem for worship (1 Kings 12:26-30).

Abijam, the son of Rehoboam and grandson of Solomon, ascended to the throne of Judah. His reign, though brief, is noted for its continuation of the hostilities with Jeroboam. Abijam's rule is described in 1 Kings 15:1-8 and 2 Chronicles 13, with the latter providing a more detailed account of the conflict.

The Conflict

The war between Jeroboam and Abijam is chronicled in 2 Chronicles 13. Abijam, despite his own shortcomings, stood against Jeroboam with a smaller army. The chronicler records Abijam's speech on Mount Zemaraim, where he rebukes Jeroboam for leading Israel into idolatry and forsaking the covenant with the LORD. Abijam asserts the legitimacy of the Davidic line and the true worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem, contrasting it with Jeroboam's golden calves and non-Levitical priesthood (2 Chronicles 13:4-12).

In a dramatic turn, Jeroboam's forces attempted to ambush Abijam's army. However, Abijam and his men cried out to the LORD, and God delivered them, granting Judah a significant victory. The chronicler emphasizes that the victory was due to Judah's reliance on the LORD, the God of their fathers (2 Chronicles 13:13-18).

Aftermath

The defeat was devastating for Jeroboam, who never regained power during Abijam's reign. The chronicler notes that Jeroboam did not recover his strength, and the LORD struck him down, leading to his eventual death (2 Chronicles 13:20). Abijam's victory reinforced the Davidic line's divine favor, despite his own failings, as he continued to walk in the sins of his father Rehoboam (1 Kings 15:3).

Theological Implications

The war between Jeroboam and Abijam highlights the ongoing struggle between faithfulness to God's covenant and the allure of idolatry. Abijam's reliance on God, despite his personal failings, serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises to David. The narrative underscores the importance of true worship and the dangers of deviating from God's ordained practices.

This episode also illustrates the broader theme of divine sovereignty and judgment. Jeroboam's initial rise to power was part of God's judgment on Solomon's apostasy, yet Jeroboam's own idolatry led to his downfall. The conflict between Jeroboam and Abijam serves as a microcosm of the spiritual and political tensions that defined the era of the divided kingdom.

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1 Kings 15:7
Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.
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Library

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... [Illustration: 297.jpg A PHILISTINE SHIP OF WAR]. ... showed itself the most bellicose
of the tribes of Israel. ... the minds of the people, that they continued to have ...
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