13:1–14:1 Abijah. The Chronicler’s account of Abijah’s reign is much longer than in 1 Kings 15:1–8 (where he is called Abijam). This account focuses on the “war between Abijam and Jeroboam” (1 Kings 15:7).
2 Chron. 13:2 three years. 915–912 b.c. Micaiah. Also spelled Maacah. See 11:20.
2 Chron. 13:3 Abijah seems to imply (v. 8) that Jeroboam started this war. He was trying to reunite the kingdom by force, as Rehoboam had tried to do earlier (11:1–4). Judah is outnumbered two to one by Israel.
2 Chron. 13:4 Mount Zemaraim was probably on the northern border of Benjamin, between the two kingdoms (see Josh. 18:22).
2 Chron. 13:5–8a Abijah condemns Jeroboam and the Israelites for rejecting God’s decision to give permanent kingship over Israel to David and his sons. The term covenant of salt implies a permanent provision (see Num. 18:19). Jeroboam’s kingship is dismissed as rebellion against his master, Solomon, while the Davidic kingdom is nothing less than the kingdom of the Lord (see 2 Chron. 9:8).
2 Chron. 13:8b–12 Abijah condemns the northerners for their religious unfaithfulness (compare Hos. 8:6). Judah, by contrast, has the legitimate priesthood and temple worship, so Israel should not fight against the Lord.
2 Chron. 13:13–19 Judah’s reliance on God (vv. 14, 18) is the key factor in its success in this battle. Bethel was one of the locations of Jeroboam’s calf cult (see v. 8 and 1 Kings 12:28–29).
2 Chron. 13:21 Large families are a sign of God’s blessing (see 1 Chron. 28:5; 2 Chron. 11:18–21).
2 Chron. 13:22 the story of the prophet Iddo. See notes on 12:15–16 and 1 Kings 14:19.
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