Introduction:
Abijam, also known as Abijah, was the son of Rehoboam and the grandson of Solomon. He reigned as the king of Judah for a brief period following the death of his father. His reign is recorded in the biblical books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, providing insights into his leadership, religious practices, and the political landscape of Judah during his time.

Biblical Account:
Abijam's reign is primarily documented in 1 Kings 15:1-8 and 2 Chronicles 13. According to 1 Kings 15:1-3 , "In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijam became king of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom. Abijam 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 his forefather David had been."

Religious Practices:
Abijam's reign was marked by a continuation of the idolatrous practices initiated by his father, Rehoboam. The biblical narrative indicates that Abijam did not fully commit to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel, and instead allowed the high places, sacred stones, and Asherah poles to remain in Judah. This lack of religious reform is highlighted in 1 Kings 15:3, where it is noted that his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD.

Military Conflict:
One of the significant events during Abijam's reign was his conflict with Jeroboam, the king of Israel. 2 Chronicles 13 provides a detailed account of the battle between Abijam and Jeroboam. Abijam assembled an army of 400,000 valiant warriors, while Jeroboam countered with 800,000 chosen men. Before the battle, Abijam addressed the Israelites, reminding them of the covenant between God and David and condemning Jeroboam's idolatry and rebellion against the house of David (2 Chronicles 13:4-12).

Despite being outnumbered, Abijam's forces achieved a significant victory over Jeroboam's army. The chronicler attributes this success to divine intervention, as Abijam and his men relied on the LORD, the God of their fathers (2 Chronicles 13:18). This victory solidified Abijam's position and weakened Jeroboam's influence over Israel.

Legacy and Succession:
Abijam's reign lasted only three years, and his legacy is mixed. While he achieved military success against Israel, his failure to lead Judah back to exclusive worship of Yahweh marred his reign. The biblical narrative suggests that his short reign was a result of his unfaithfulness to God.

Upon Abijam's death, he was succeeded by his son Asa, who would go on to reign for forty-one years and implement significant religious reforms in Judah. Asa's reign is often contrasted with that of his father, as Asa sought to restore the worship of Yahweh and remove idolatry from the land.

Conclusion:
The reign of Abijam over Judah serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God and the consequences of idolatry. His account is a part of the larger narrative of the kings of Judah and Israel, illustrating the challenges and complexities of leadership in a divided kingdom.