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2 Chronicles 13

22 verses

TL;DR

Abijah leads Judah to a decisive victory over Jeroboam in Israel, winning by relying on the LORD while Israel defiles the covenant through idolatry.

Summary

King Abijah of Judah reigns for three years and engages in a great battle against Jeroboam of Israel. He challenges Jeroboam’s claim to the throne, reminding him of the covenant made with David and the LORD’s promise to rule Israel forever. Abijah rallies his army on Mount Zemaraim, while Jeroboam gathers a larger force. The conflict is marked by divine intervention: Abijah’s priests sound trumpets, and the LORD strikes down Jeroboam’s army. Judah’s victory is attributed to faithfulness, whereas Israel is portrayed as rebellious and idolatrous, having abandoned the priests of Aaron and the Levites. After the battle, Abijah captures key cities such as Bethel and Jeshanah, and Jeroboam dies shortly thereafter. The chapter concludes with a brief note on Abijah’s family and the deeds recorded by the prophet Iddo.

Outline
  1. Abijah’s reign and the buildup of the war against Jeroboam
  2. Abijah’s challenge, divine support, and the battle’s turning point
  3. Aftermath: Judah’s victory, capture of cities, and Jeroboam’s death
Themes
Covenant faithfulness versus idolatryDivine intervention as the decisive factor in conflictPolitical division between Judah and Israel
Keywords
AbijahJeroboamcovenantgolden calfshewbreadtrumpetsMount ZemaraimIsraelJudahidolatryDivine intervention
People
AbijahJeroboamMichaiahUriel of GibeahNebatRehoboamSolomonDavidAaronLevitesProphet Iddo
Places
JerusalemMount ZemaraimMount EphraimGibeahBethelJeshanahEphraimIsraelJudah
Things
golden calvesyoung bullock and seven ramsshewbreadcandlestick of goldtrumpetscovenant of salt
Key Verses
  • 2 Chronicles 13:4-6: Abijah confronts Jeroboam, citing the covenant with David and emphasizing loyalty to the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 13:15: Divine judgment strikes Jeroboam’s army, marking the pivotal moment of the battle.
  • 2 Chronicles 13:18: The chapter attributes Judah’s victory to reliance on God, contrasting Israel’s idolatry.
Questions
  • Why does Abijah emphasize the covenant with David when challenging Jeroboam?
  • What role does idolatry play in Israel’s defeat according to the text?
  • How does the narrative portray divine support for Judah’s army?
  • What does the mention of the 'covenant of salt' signify about the covenant’s permanence?
  • In what ways does the account of Abijah’s victory reflect broader themes in the Chronicler’s theology?
Sentiment

mixed
The text celebrates Judah’s faithfulness while condemning Israel’s idolatry, reflecting both triumph and warning.