1Abijah maketh war against Jeroboam: 4he declareth the right of his cause: 13trusting in God he overcometh Jeroboam. 21The wives and children of Abijah.
1NOW in thea eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah.
a 1 Kings 15:1, etc.
2He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was 1Michaiah the daughter of 2Uriel of 3Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
1 In 2 Chron. 11:20 called Maachah.
2 He was also called Absalom, 2 Chron. 11:20. See there the annotation, and distinguish this Uriel between another of the same name, who was a Levite, 1 Chron. 15:11.
3 Several cities have had this name, and that from the height of the place, on which they were built (for, Gibeah, Hebr. Gibhah, signifies a hill); but some perceive that here is spoken of Gibeah in Benjamin; of which see Judges 20:4, 5, 10, 20.
3And Abijah 4set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour.
4 See of the meaning of this word 1 Kings 20 on verse 14.
4¶And Abijah 5stood up upon mount 6Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;
5 The sense seems to be this: that he, being on the top of the mountain, came down somewhat lower that he might be the better heard and understood by Jeroboam and his people.
6 It is perceived that this mountain was situated on the south border of Ephraim, as it borders on Benjamin; and has its name from a city of the same name, unless the city would have its name from the mountain. See Joshua 18:22.
5Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David 7for ever, even to him and to his sons by a 8covenant of salt?
7 See 2 Sam. 7 on verse 13.
8 That is, an everlasting and never failing covenant, which does not perish; as that, which is sprinkled and rubbed over with salt, does not easily perish. See Num. 18:19 and the annotation.
6Yetb Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord.
b 1 Kings 11:26.
7And there are gathered unto him 9vain men, the 10children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was 11young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.
9 See Judges 9 on verse 4.
10 That is, wicked rogues, lewd and licentious rascals, who not only do no good to any man, but also will not live under any laws. See Deut. 13 on verse 13.
11 Namely, in mind, heart and courage, as the following words declare. The meaning is: that he was no warrior or a man of experience; compare Eccl. 10:16. Other, in respect of age, he was one and forty years old when he came to the crown, 2 Chron. 12:13.
8And now 12ye think to withstand the 13kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are 14with you golden calves, whichc Jeroboam made you for gods.
12 Hebr. ye are saying, namely, within yourselves. See Gen. 20 on verse 11; 1 Kings 5 on verse 5.
13 Understand the kingdom of Judah, of which the Lord was the Author and Protector.
14 It may seem by these words that they had brought the golden calves with them into the camp, as formerly the Ark of the Covenant was brought in the camp, 1 Sam. 4:3, 4, 5, etc.
c 1 Kings 12:28, etc.
9Have yed not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to 15consecrate himself 16with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.
d 1 Kings 12:31; 2 Chron. 11:14, 15.
15 That is, to put and consecrate himself into the priestly office. See Lev. 7 on verse 37.
16 Hebr. with a son of the bullock, that is, in a manner which is devised by you and not instituted by God.
10But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait 17upon their business:
17 Namely, in that work which is prescribed them in the law of God.
11Ande18they burn unto the LORD 19every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and 20sweet incense: the 21shewbread also set they in order upon the 22pure table; and the 23candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, 24to burn every evening: for we 25keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken 26him.
e 2 Chron. 2:4.
18 Namely, the priests.
19 Hebr. in morning in morning, in evening in evening, also in the sequel; that is, every morning and every evening. See of this phrase Gen. 7:2 and in the annotation.
20 See hereof Exod. 30:34, etc.
21 Whereof see Lev. 24:5, etc.
22 See of this table Exod. 25:23, etc. It is called pure, because it was overlaid with pure gold, Exod. 25:24.
23 See of this Exod. 25:31, etc.
24 According to the law, Lev. 24:2, 3, etc.
25 See Lev. 8 on verse 35.
26 See 2 Chron. 12 on verse 1.
12And, behold, God himself is with us 27for our captain, and his priests with 28sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD 29God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.
27 Hebr. in or at the head, that is, in front of the battle array. See Deut. 20:9; Micah 2:13. Other, for an head; that is, for a Captain and Champion.
28 See of the use of these trumpets in war, Num. 10:9.
29 See Gen. 26 on verse 24; also verse 18 below.
13¶But Jeroboam caused 30an ambushment to come about behind 31them: so 32they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind 33them.
30 Consisting of a part of his forces, which had hid itself secretly in the field, to fall unawares upon those of Judah in the rear.
31 Namely, those of Judah.
32 Namely, the army of the Israelites.
33 Namely, those of Judah.
14And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests 34sounded with the trumpets.
34 Namely, to effect good courage in those of Judah, and to excite them to manly courage.
15Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God 35smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
35 That is, discomfited them. Also 1 Sam. 4:3; 2 Chron. 14:12. Or, plagued them with terror, astonishment, confusion, or otherwise.
16And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand.
17And Abijah and his people slew them 36with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.
36 That is, with a great overthrow of them. Also Joshua 10:10; 1 Kings 20:21. This phrase is also used of other sore judgments, whereby God, beside the cause of war, slays many people at once, as Num. 11:33; 1 Sam. 6:19.
18Thus the children of Israel were 37brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers.
37 That is, pressed down, and brought under. Also Judges 8:28; Psalm 106:42, etc.
19And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, 38Beth-el with the 39towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and 40Ephrain with the towns thereof.
38 See of this city Gen. 12 on verse 8. Here Jeroboam had set up one of the golden calves, 1 Kings 12:29.
39 Hebr. daughters. Also Num. 21:25, 32, and in the sequel.
40 Situated in the tribe of Benjamin, called also Ophrah, Joshua 18:23.
20Neither did Jeroboam recover 41strength again in the days of Abijah: and the LORD 42struck him, and he died.
41 Namely, to war against Abijah.
42 It seems that Jeroboam after this defeat had a long continuing sickness, whereof he at length died in the second year of king Asa’s reign. Others understand this of Abijah, who reigned but three years, verse 2, so that he did not live long after this victory, 2 Chron. 14:1.
21¶But Abijah waxed mighty, and married 43fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.
43 Namely, some while he was king, and some before, while his father was yet alive.
22And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his 44ways, and his sayings, are written in the story of the prophet 45Iddo.
44 That is, his deeds and works.
45 See 2 Chron. 9 on verse 29.