2 Chronicles 13:1-9 ▼

1 In the eighteenth year of the reign of King Jeroboam, Abijah became king over Judah.

2 He ruled for three years in Jerusalem. His mother was Michaiah, the daughter of Uriel from Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

3 Abijah launched the attack with 400,000 well-trained warriors, while Jeroboam deployed against him 800,000 well-trained warriors.

4 Abijah ascended Mount Zemaraim, in the Ephraimite hill country, and said: |Listen to me, Jeroboam and all Israel!

5 Don't you realize that the LORD God of Israel has given David and his dynasty lasting dominion over Israel by a formal agreement?

6 Jeroboam son of Nebat, a servant of Solomon son of David, rose up and rebelled against his master.

7 Lawless good-for-nothing men gathered around him and conspired against Rehoboam son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was an inexperienced young man and could not resist them.

8 Now you are declaring that you will resist the LORD's rule through the Davidic dynasty. You have a huge army, and bring with you the gold calves that Jeroboam made for you as gods.

9 But you banished the LORD's priests, Aaron's descendants, and the Levites, and appointed your own priests just as the surrounding nations do! Anyone who comes to consecrate himself with a young bull or seven rams becomes a priest of these fake gods!