II Chronicles: Abijah

Abijah was a godly king who ruled Judah for only three years. The entire account of his reign (related in II Chronicles 13) is focused on a single incident, which God uses to reveal the impact of Abijah's heart for God.

Abijah's significant event was war with Jeroboam of Israel. This war is not a surprise. Although Rehoboam, Abijah's father, had obeyed God's instruction not to go to war with Jeroboam at the time the kingdom divided, nevertheless there were continual wars between the two men (12:15). It is completely logical that the war would carry over into Abijah's reign. In fact, Jeroboam may have seen an opportunity to launch an especially aggressive attack against the new and inexperienced king.

The battle scenario was not good for Abijah. As a new king, he faced a leader who had fought for years. Abijah actually had an exceptionally strong army of 400,000 men. Unfortunately, Jeroboam was coming against him with twice that many (13:3). Not only that, but Jeroboam had a sinister battle plan. He was going to set an ambush so that Abijah's soldiers would be surrounded with an army behind them and an army in front of them (13:13-14). The situation was daunting.

Abijah had other disadvantages. He had not been led well or taught well by his father. Whether deliberately misinformed by his proud father or whether simply left to interpret history on his own, Abijah did not quite have accurate or complete understanding. It seems that he only partially understood the reason that the ten tribes had deserted his father. He placed the blame on the rebellious Jeroboam who led people away (13:6-7), rather than acknowledging his father's unwise response that caused the people to reject him (10:15-16). Abijah also misunderstood his father's failure to stop the secession militarily. He thought his father had been too young, too inexperienced, and too weak to stop Jeroboam (13:7); he did not realize his father had stood down militarily in direct response to God (11:4).

Abijah also failed to fully grasp what had happened with the priests, Levites, and other God-followers who had come to Judah from Israel. He thought that Jeroboam had forcibly driven them out (13:9), when in reality, those godly men had chosen to move to Judah (11:13-16). There is even some doubt whether Abijah fully understood worship. When he challenged Jeroboam regarding being true to God, his focus was on the rituals that the priests and Levites faithfully observed: offering burnt offerings, burning incense, preparing showbread, cleaning the table, lighting the lamp, and doing these things daily (13:10-11). Considering the training Abijah would have received from his father, the confusion and partial understanding is not unbelievable or even surprising.

What is more important is the truth that Abijah did understand. He knew and believed the promise of God that David's descendents would continue as kings (13:5). He knew that Jeroboam could not successfully overthrow God's plan (13:8). He knew that neither the size of Jeroboam's army nor the false gods he worshipped would be enough to bring victory (13:8). He knew that those man-made idols were really not gods at all (13:8-9). He knew that forsaking the true God would lead to disaster, and that following God faithfully was the source of help (13:9-10). He knew that God was with him (13:12). He boldly declared the truth as he warned Jeroboam, "You have forsaken Him. Now behold, God is with us at our head. . . . O sons of Israel, do not fight against the LORD God of your fathers, for you will not succeed" (13:11-12). Abijah's faith was firmly fixed in God.

Jeroboam, not heeding the warning, attacked. He put the ambush into effect, and the army of Judah was surrounded. Abijah and his army cried out to God; the priests who were with them blew their trumpets. With their confidence and hope in God, these brave soldiers then gave a battle cry, and "God routed Jeroboam and all Israel" (13:15). The soldiers of Israel fled. 500,000 (more than 60%) of Israel's soldiers were killed. Abijah and his army were able to capture several cities and villages. King Jeroboam was so weakened by the defeat that he never attacked again; in fact, God killed him. Israel was subdued to the point that peace followed for at least ten years. What looked like inevitable disaster for Abijah and Judah turned completely around. Instead it became a great victory for Judah, and the disaster fell on Israel.

The Bible leaves no doubt as to why this reversal occurred. Abijah and his people trusted in God. They had been following God. They cried out to God in their trouble. God gave the victory. "God routed Jeroboam" (13:15). "God gave them into their hand" (13:16). "Thus the sons of Israel were subdued at that time, and the sons of Judah conquered because they trusted in the LORD" (13:18).

Rehoboam, when confronted by God, had once declared that God was righteous, but Abijah took that declaration and made it the controlling belief of his heart. Abijah faithfully followed God. He was confident in the promises of God. He had great faith even when faced with a seeming impossibility. He courageously declared that faith even when it could have made him look like a fool.

God did not censure Abijah for his incomplete understanding. God did not judge him for his heritage or background, even when those things left Abijah with some disadvantages and shortcomings. Instead God responded to the sincere trust and belief in his heart. God saw a man who was dedicated to faithfully following Him, to declaring His truth, and to trusting His promises. God honored that sincere effort, that child-like faith, and that unshakeable confidence in Him. God's response to Abijah's trust not only left Judah with an incredible victory that confirmed their trust in God, but it also had a long-term impact, leaving Judah at peace for many years.