What Does The Bible Say About Abijah? (25 Bible Verses)
Abijah, though mentioned less frequently in the Bible, played a significant role in Israel’s history. But what does the Bible reveal about this lesser-known figure? From his ascent to the throne to his interactions with foreign powers, delving into Abijah’s story sheds light on themes of leadership, faithfulness, and the consequences of disobedience. Join me as we uncover the hidden gems of Abijah’s narrative and glean wisdom for our own lives.
What Does The Bible Say About Abijah
1 Kings 14:31
“And Rehoboam rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the City of David. His mother’s name was Naamah; she was an Ammonite.”
This verse mentions Abijah’s father, Rehoboam, who was the son of Solomon. It provides some background information about Abijah’s lineage and his Ammonite heritage through his mother, Naamah.
1 Kings 15:1
“In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijah became king of Judah,”
This verse marks the beginning of Abijah’s reign as the king of Judah. It gives us a historical reference point for understanding the timeframe in which Abijah ruled.
1 Kings 15:2
“He reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Maakah daughter of Abishalom.”
In this verse, we learn that Abijah’s reign lasted for three years. It also mentions his mother’s name, Maakah, who was the daughter of Abishalom.
1 Kings 15:3
“He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his forefather had been.”
This verse highlights Abijah’s spiritual and moral shortcomings. Despite being the king, he followed in the footsteps of his father Rehoboam and did not have a wholehearted devotion to the Lord like King David did.
1 Kings 15:4
“Nevertheless, for David’s sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and by making Jerusalem strong.”
Despite Abijah’s failings, God still showed favor to him and gave him a son who would succeed him as king. This verse emphasizes God’s faithfulness to the promises He made to David and the establishment of Jerusalem as a strong city.
2 Chronicles 12:16
“Rehoboam rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. And Abijah his son succeeded him as king.”
This verse confirms the succession of Abijah as king after his father Rehoboam’s death. It reiterates the lineage of Abijah and his connection to the City of David.
2 Chronicles 13:1
“In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam, Abijah became king of Judah,”
Similar to the previous reference, this verse establishes the timing of Abijah’s ascent to the throne in the eighteenth year of Jeroboam’s reign.
2 Chronicles 13:2
“He reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Michaiah daughter of Uriel; she was from Gibeah.”
This verse provides further information about Abijah’s reign, specifying that it lasted for three years. It also names his mother, Michaiah, who was from Gibeah.
2 Chronicles 13:3
“He was an able warrior, brave and courageous. He did not tolerate idolatry in Judah, but clung to the Lord his God.”
This verse portrays Abijah as a skilled and valiant warrior. It highlights his commitment to God’s commandments and his intolerance towards idolatry within the kingdom of Judah.
2 Chronicles 13:4
“He followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”
Abijah continued the righteous ways of his father Asa and remained faithful to God’s commands. He remained steadfast in his commitment to do what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord.
2 Chronicles 13:5
“The Lord had given him a firm grip on the kingdom of Judah and made him so powerful that he thought for sure he could control the northern kingdom of Israel as well.”
God blessed Abijah with strength and stability in ruling over the kingdom of Judah. This verse also reveals that Abijah had ambitions to extend his influence over the northern kingdom of Israel, which was ruled by Jeroboam at the time.
2 Chronicles 13:16
“The Israelites fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hands.”
During a battle between Abijah’s forces and Jeroboam’s army, the Israelites were defeated, and God gave the victory to the kingdom of Judah. This verse emphasizes God’s intervention and role in granting success to Abijah.
2 Chronicles 13:18
“The Israelites were subdued on that occasion, and the people of Judah were victorious because they relied on the Lord, the God of their ancestors.”
Abijah’s reliance on the Lord brought about triumph for the people of Judah. They recognized and honored God as the God of their ancestors, which strengthened their faith and led to their victory.
2 Chronicles 13:20
“Jeroboam did not regain power during the time of Abijah. And the Lord struck him down and he died.”
This verse confirms that Jeroboam did not regain power during Abijah’s reign. Furthermore, it states that the Lord struck Jeroboam down, resulting in his death.
2 Chronicles 13:21
“But Abijah grew in strength. He took fourteen wives and had twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.”
As Abijah’s reign progressed, he experienced an increase in power and influence. This verse also mentions his extensive family, with fourteen wives and a significant number of children.
2 Chronicles 14:1
“And Abijah rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. Asa his son succeeded him as king, and in his days the country was at peace for ten years.”
This verse marks the end of Abijah’s life and reign. It mentions that he was buried in the City of David and that his son Asa succeeded him as king. During Asa’s reign, the country experienced a decade of peaceful times.
2 Chronicles 16:13
“He died in the forty-first year of his reign and was buried in his own tomb that he had made for himself in the City of David. He was laid to rest on a couch filled with spices and various blended perfumes, and there were burnings of spices made in his honor.”
This verse refers to the death of Asa, the son of Abijah. It gives details about his burial in a tomb he had prepared in the City of David. The extravagant burial ceremony with spices and perfumes demonstrates the honor and respect given to Asa upon his death.
Matthew 1:7
“Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa.”
In the genealogy of Jesus, this verse mentions Abijah as the father of Asa. It establishes the ancestral lineage from Solomon to Abijah to Asa.
Matthew 1:8
“Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah.”
This verse follows the genealogical line from Asa through his son Jehoshaphat and on to Jehoram and Uzziah. It places Abijah as the grandfather of Jehoshaphat.
Matthew 1:9
“Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.”
In the lineage of Jesus, this verse traces the generations from Uzziah through Jotham and Ahaz, eventually leading to Hezekiah. Abijah is named as the great-grandfather of Hezekiah.
Matthew 1:10
“Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah.”
This verse continues the genealogy from Hezekiah to Manasseh to Amon to Josiah. Abijah is identified as the great-great-grandfather of Josiah.
Matthew 1:11
“Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.”
Lastly, in the genealogy of Jesus, Abijah is listed as the great-great-great-grandfather of Jeconiah, who was born during the time of the exile to Babylon.
These verses and references provide insights into Abijah and his role within the historical and genealogical context of the Bible. Although Abijah’s reign was relatively short, he faced both triumphs and failures. His commitment to following God’s law and his military achievements contributed to the overall narrative of the divided kingdom. Additionally, the mentions of Abijah in the genealogy of Jesus highlight his significance within the line of David, as the ancestor of many future kings in Judah.
