Topical Bible: Faithfulness: Abijah

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Abijah, a name meaning "My Father is Yahweh," is a figure in the Bible whose life and actions provide insight into the theme of faithfulness. The name Abijah is borne by several individuals in the Scriptures, but the most notable is Abijah, the son of Rehoboam and the second king of the southern kingdom of Judah. His reign is recorded in 1 Kings 15:1-8 and 2 Chronicles 13.

Abijah, King of Judah

Abijah, also known as Abijam in some translations, ascended to the throne of Judah following the death of his father, Rehoboam. His reign lasted for three years, during which he faced significant challenges, particularly from Jeroboam, the king of the northern kingdom of Israel. The biblical account of Abijah's reign is marked by a notable confrontation with Jeroboam, which is detailed in 2 Chronicles 13.

In this confrontation, Abijah demonstrated a measure of faithfulness to the covenantal promises given to the house of David. Standing on Mount Zemaraim, Abijah addressed the armies of Israel, reminding them of the divine covenant with David: "Do you not know that the LORD, the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt?" (2 Chronicles 13:5). This appeal to the covenant underscores Abijah's recognition of the divine order and his reliance on God's promises.

Abijah's faithfulness is further highlighted in his reliance on God during the battle against Jeroboam. Despite being outnumbered, Abijah and his forces cried out to the LORD, and God delivered them, granting Judah a significant victory. The Scripture records, "So the Israelites were subdued at that time, and the people of Judah prevailed because they relied on the LORD, the God of their fathers" (2 Chronicles 13:18). This victory serves as a testament to Abijah's faithfulness in seeking divine intervention and trusting in God's power.

Complexity of Abijah's Faithfulness

While Abijah's actions during the battle with Jeroboam reflect a degree of faithfulness, the overall assessment of his reign is more complex. The account in 1 Kings 15:3 notes, "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 David his forefather had been" . This evaluation suggests that Abijah's faithfulness was not complete, as he continued in some of the sinful practices established by his father, Rehoboam.

Despite this, the LORD's faithfulness to the Davidic covenant is evident in His preservation of Abijah's lineage. The Scripture states, "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" (1 Kings 15:4). This divine favor highlights God's unwavering commitment to His promises, even when human faithfulness falters.

Legacy and Lessons

Abijah's life and reign offer valuable lessons on the theme of faithfulness. His reliance on God's covenant during the battle with Jeroboam serves as an example of trusting in divine promises. However, the mixed assessment of his reign also serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of wholehearted devotion to God. Abijah's account reminds believers of the necessity of aligning one's actions with God's will and the enduring faithfulness of God to His covenant, even amidst human shortcomings.

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2 Chronicles 13:4-20
And Abijah stood up on mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, you Jeroboam, and all Israel;
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Library

The Divided Kingdom.
... This weakening of the people's faithfulness to God gave place for the manifestations
of their former jealousy. ... 2. Abijah, 1:K.15:1-8; 2:Chron.13:1-22. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

The Rending of the Kingdom
... his fathers, and was buried in the City of David: and Abijah his son ... strengthen the
hands of the rulers and to encourage the people to continued faithfulness. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 6 the rending of.htm