Abijah אֲבִיָּה

Abijah was the son of Jeroboam I, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. When Abijah fell sick, Jeroboam sent his wife in disguise to the prophet Ahijah to inquire about the child's fate (1Ki.14.1-3).

Ahijah, guided by God, recognized Jeroboam's wife and delivered a message of judgment against Jeroboam's house for his idolatry and disobedience. The prophet also revealed that Abijah would die, and indeed, as soon as Jeroboam's wife returned home, the child died (1Ki.14.12-17).

Ahijah prophesied that Abijah would be the only one of Jeroboam's family to receive a proper burial because he was the only one in whom God found something good (1Ki.14.13). The death of Abijah was a sign of God's judgment against Jeroboam and his dynasty.