Abijah became king of Judah and warred against Jeroboam, addressing Israel's army of 800,000 from Mount Zemaraim with a theological indictment: Israel had forsaken the Lord by following Jeroboam's golden calves and expelling the Levitical priests, replacing them with whoever could afford consecration fees. Abijah declared that Judah had maintained covenant faithfulness with proper priests, morning and evening sacrifices, showbread, lampstand, and the bronze altar, asserting that God was their leader with His priests sounding battle trumpets. Despite being surrounded by Jeroboam's ambush with double the forces, Judah cried to the Lord and the priests blew trumpets, resulting in a devastating victory that killed 500,000 of Israel's warriors, demonstrating that they prevailed because they relied on the Lord God of their fathers.
Read 2 Chronicles Chapter 13 Summary
Characters in This Chapter
Builder of the temple and Israel's most glorious king
Reforming king who restored temple worship and trusted God against Assyria
Young king who led the greatest revival, rediscovered the Law
Godly king known for his prayer and trust in God during battle
Son of Jacob, Ancestor of David and Christ
King of Israel
First King of Judah after the Division
First High Priest
Places in This Chapter
Gibeah of Benjamin is remembered for two contrasting associations. Its darkest moment came in Judges 19-21 when its residents committed an atrocity that nearly led to Benjamin's extinction. Yet it later became the hometown of Saul, Israel's first king.
Bethel means "House of God" and was where Jacob had his famous dream of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending. Abraham also built altars here. Later, Jeroboam set up a golden calf here as an alternative worship site to Jerusalem, which was condemned by prophets.
Position in Book
Alternating faithful and unfaithful kings, with special attention to reformers like Hezekiah and Josiah.