April 24 A READ 2 CHRONICLES 13–16
Reigns of Abijah and Asa
OVERVIEW
Abijah, who “committed the same sins as his father before him” (1 Kings 15:3), nevertheless is used by God to judge an even more corrupt king, Jeroboam in the North. Through Abijah God vindicates the Temple in Jerusalem as the true place of worship. By contrast, Abijah’s son Asa demonstrates a faith in God unparalleled since the days of Solomon and David. He removes idols, restores pure worship, and reminds God often of his promise to fight on behalf of his people: “O LORD, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde” (14:11).
MY DAILY WALK
Today’s section contains a divine “classified ad.” God is looking for a certain kind of person—someone to do an important job for him. Do you have the qualifications for the position?
“Wanted: People with a heart loyal to God. No age limit. Experience not necessary. Educational background immaterial. Physical limitations no problem. Open to anyone, regardless of race, color, sex, or national origin. Equal opportunity employer. No mandatory retirement age.”
That’s the gist of verse 16:9. God is searching diligently for men and women, boys and girls whose heart attitude is right toward him. No matter if you’re weak; God has strength in abundance. He’s looking for those who are willing to make their lives a showcase for his power. Are you interested in the position? Then give heaven a call right now. God is standing by to talk to you personally.
IN A HEART IN WHICH GOD IS ENTHRONED AS KING, THERE LIES A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN.
INSIGHT
Calling Out the Troops | 2 Chr. 13:3
In the war between Abijah and Jeroboam, 1.2 million troops were committed to the battle—800,000 for Israel and 400,000 for Judah (13:3). Compare these numbers with the census figures recorded in 2 Samuel 24:9 and 1 Chronicles 21:5. This was all-out war.
INSIGHT
A Prophet of Dubious Distinction | 2 Chr. 16:10
Hanani the seer, who condemned Asa for his reliance on foreign armies rather than on the Lord, becomes the earliest prophet recorded in the Bible to suffer persecution (16:10). (But check Luke 11:47-51 for the name of another who, though seldom considered a prophet, might also lay claim to this distinction.)
Abijah’s War with Jeroboam
1Abijah began to rule over Judah in the eighteenth year of Jeroboam’s reign in Israel. 2He reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother was Maacah,* the daughter of Uriel from Gibeah.
Then war broke out between Abijah and Jeroboam. 3Judah, led by King Abijah, fielded 400,000 select warriors, while Jeroboam mustered 800,000 select troops from Israel.
4When the army of Judah arrived in the hill country of Ephraim, Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim and shouted to Jeroboam and all Israel: “Listen to me! 5Don’t you realize that the LORD, the God of Israel, made a lasting covenant* with David, giving him and his descendants the throne of Israel forever? 6Yet Jeroboam son of Nebat, a mere servant of David’s son Solomon, rebelled against his master. 7Then a whole gang of scoundrels joined him, defying Solomon’s son Rehoboam when he was young and inexperienced and could not stand up to them.
8“Do you really think you can stand against the kingdom of the LORD that is led by the descendants of David? You may have a vast army, and you have those gold calves that Jeroboam made as your gods. 9But you have chased away the priests of the LORD (the descendants of Aaron) and the Levites, and you have appointed your own priests, just like the pagan nations. You let anyone become a priest these days! Whoever comes to be dedicated with a young bull and seven rams can become a priest of these so-called gods of yours!
10“But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not abandoned him. Only the descendants of Aaron serve the LORD as priests, and the Levites alone may help them in their work. 11They present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the LORD every morning and evening. They place the Bread of the Presence on the holy table, and they light the gold lampstand every evening. We are following the instructions of the LORD our God, but you have abandoned him. 12So you see, God is with us. He is our leader. His priests blow their trumpets and lead us into battle against you. O people of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed!”
13Meanwhile, Jeroboam had secretly sent part of his army around behind the men of Judah to ambush them. 14When Judah realized that they were being attacked from the front and the rear, they cried out to the LORD for help. Then the priests blew the trumpets, 15and the men of Judah began to shout. At the sound of their battle cry, God defeated Jeroboam and all Israel and routed them before Abijah and the army of Judah.
16The Israelite army fled from Judah, and God handed them over to Judah in defeat. 17Abijah and his army inflicted heavy losses on them; 500,000 of Israel’s select troops were killed that day. 18So Judah defeated Israel on that occasion because they trusted in the LORD, the God of their ancestors. 19Abijah and his army pursued Jeroboam’s troops and captured some of his towns, including Bethel, Jeshanah, and Ephron, along with their surrounding villages.
20So Jeroboam of Israel never regained his power during Abijah’s lifetime, and finally the LORD struck him down and he died. 21Meanwhile, Abijah of Judah grew more and more powerful. He married fourteen wives and had twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.
22The rest of the events of Abijah’s reign, including his words and deeds, are recorded in The Commentary of Iddo the Prophet.