Abijah’s Evil Reign in Judah
July 1, 2021
Commentary
Abijah, Rehoboam’s son and David’s grandson, succeeded his father to the throne of Judah (v. 1). He reigned for a period of three years in Jerusalem and he walked in the sins of hia father (vv. 2-3). This began near the end of Jeroboam’s reign in Israel. Because of David, who did right in the eyes of the Lord (except for his sin with Bathsheba and the coverup with Uriah), and not because of Abijah’s own character, He poured out His blessing on Judah (vv. 4-5). From all indications his reign was not one of outright apostasy but rather one of creeping compromise. Abijah did not abandon the Lord but tolerated idolatry.
The war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continued throughout Abijah’s lifetime (vv. 6-7). Abijah’s military forces won a decisive victory over those of Jeroboam because Judah called upon the Lord. It would appear that Abijah was approximately 40 years of age when he died which meant that he was at the height of manhood. All of the time he was ruling, the kingdom of Judah was slipping. All of the sins of Rehoboam were still tolerated during Abijam’s rule. The importance of one’s affections is emphasized by the reference to Abijah’s heart. He evidently said one thing but lived another when it came to idolatry. The rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did , are written in the books of the Chronicles and of the Kings. The death of Abijam opened the way for Asa to take over the throne (v. 8).
Application
Just as in the case of Abijah, my affections often determine my actions. That is why my affections need to be set on things above and not on the things of this world.
1 Kings 15:1– 8 (NET)
1 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijah became king over Judah. 2 He ruled for three years in Jerusalem. His mother was Maacah, the daughter of Abishalom. 3 He followed all the sinful practices of his father before him. He was not wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord his God, as his ancestor David had been. 4 Nevertheless for David’s sake the Lord his God maintained his dynasty in Jerusalem by giving him a son to succeed him and by protecting Jerusalem. 5 He did this because David had done what he approved and had not disregarded any of his commandments his entire lifetime, except for the incident involving Uriah the Hittite. 6 Rehoboam and Jeroboam were continually at war with each other throughout Abijah’s lifetime. 7 The rest of the events of Abijah’s reign, including all his accomplishments, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Judah. Abijah and Jeroboam had been at war with each other. 8 Abijah passed away and was buried in the City of David. His son Asa replaced him as king.