2 Chronicles 13:19 Kommentar

We have here a much fuller account of the reign of Abijah, the son of Rehoboam, than we had in the Kings. There we found that his character was no better than his father's - he "walked in the sins of his father, and his heart was not right with God," Kg1 15:2, Kg1 15:3. But here we find him more brave and successful in war than his father was. He reigned but three years, and was chiefly famous for a glorious victory he obtained over the forces of Jeroboam. Here we have, I. The armies brought into the field on both sides (Ch2 13:3). The remonstrance which Abijah made before the battle, setting forth the justice of his cause (Ch2 13:4-12). III. The distress which Judah was brought into by the policy of Jeroboam (Ch2 13:13, Ch2 13:14). IV. The victory they obtained notwithstanding, by the power of God (Ch2 13:15-20). V. The conclusion of Abijah's reign (Ch2 13:21, Ch2 13:22).

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 13 This chapter begins with the reign of Abijah, Ch2 13:1, gives an account of a battle between him and Jeroboam, previous to which Abijah made a speech to Jeroboam and his army, to vindicate his own cause, encourage his own soldiers, and intimidate the enemy, and dissuade them from fighting, Ch2 13:3 and in the mean while Jeroboam laid an ambush for him, which greatly distressed him, Ch2 13:13, nevertheless he obtained a complete victory over him, Ch2 13:15, and the chapter is concluded with some account of his family and reign, Ch2 13:21.

Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah,.... So as to bring an army into the field against him, and fight him: and the Lord struck him; by some Jewish writers (a), this is interpreted of Abijah; and the reason of his being stricken, they say, was because he did not destroy the calf when he took Bethel; but it is best to understand it of Jeroboam, since Abijah is afterwards said to wax mighty: and he died; not immediately, for he lived two years after Abijah, Kg1 14:20, but continued under a lingering disease he was smitten with, and which issued in his death. (a) Bereshit Rabba, sect. 65. fol. 58. 8. Seder Olam Rabba, c. 16.

Abijah begins to reign over Judah, and has war with Jeroboam, Ch2 13:1-3. His speech from Mount Zemaraim to Jeroboam, before the commencement of hostilities, Ch2 13:4-12. While thus engaged, Jeroboam despatches some troops which come on the rear of Abijah's army, Ch2 13:13. Perceiving this, they cry unto the Lord, and the Israelites are defeated with the loss of five hundred thousand men, Ch2 13:14-18. Abijah retakes several cities from Jeroboam, who is smitten by the Lord, and dies, Ch2 13:19, Ch2 13:20. Abijah's marriages and issue, Ch2 13:21, Ch2 13:22.

Beth-el - "Beth-lehem." - Targum. Jeshanah - We know not where these towns lay.

ABIJAH, SUCCEEDING, MAKES WAR AGAINST JEROBOAM, AND OVERCOMES HIM. (2Ch. 13:1-20) His mother's name also was Michaiah, the daughter of Uriel--the same as Maachah (see on Kg1 15:2). She was "the daughter," that is, granddaughter of Absalom (Kg1 15:2; compare 2Sa. 14:1-33), mother of Abijah, "mother," that is, grandmother (Kg1 15:10, Margin) of Asa. of Gibeah--probably implies that Uriel was connected with the house of Saul. there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam--The occasion of this war is not recorded (see Kg1 15:6-7), but it may be inferred from the tenor of Abijah's address that it arose from his youthful ambition to recover the full hereditary dominion of his ancestors. No prophet now forbade a war with Israel (Ch2 11:23) for Jeroboam had forfeited all claim to protection.

Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him--This sanguinary action widened the breach between the people of the two kingdoms. Abijah abandoned his original design of attempting the subjugation of the ten tribes, contenting himself with the recovery of a few border towns, which, though lying within Judah or Benjamin, had been alienated to the new or northern kingdom. Among these was Beth-el, which, with its sacred associations, he might be strongly desirous to wrest from profanation.