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Abijah אֲבִיָּה

Male Tribe of Judah H0029I 4 books

King of Judah, son of Rehoboam

Who is Abijah in the Bible?

Abijah, also known as Abijam, was the second king of Judah who reigned for three years after the division of the united monarchy (2 Chronicles 13.1-2). He was the son of Rehoboam and Maacah, daughter of Absalom (2 Chronicles 11.20). During his reign, Abijah led Judah in war against Jeroboam of Israel, and despite being outnumbered, achieved a significant military victory at Mount Zemaraim by relying on God and emphasizing the legitimacy of the Davidic dynasty and the Levitical priesthood (2 Chronicles 13.3-18). Though he expanded Judah's territory and grew stronger, Abijah, like his father, failed to fully commit to following the Lord. His reign demonstrates both the blessings that come from trusting in God during specific moments and the spiritual instability that results from divided loyalty to Him.

Biography

Abijah, also known as Abijam (1Ki.14.31), was the second king of Judah after the division of the united monarchy. He was the son of Rehoboam and Maacah, the daughter of Absalom (2Ch.11.20). Abijah reigned for three years in Jerusalem (2Ch.13.1-2; 1Ki.15.1-2).

During his reign, there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam, the king of Israel (2Ch.13.3). In a battle at Mount Zemaraim, Abijah addressed the Israelites, emphasizing the legitimacy of the Davidic dynasty and the importance of the Levitical priesthood (2Ch.13.4-12). Despite being outnumbered, Judah prevailed against Israel because they relied on the Lord (2Ch.13.13-18).

Abijah expanded his power, taking cities from Jeroboam and growing stronger (2Ch.13.19-21). However, like his father Rehoboam, Abijah did not fully follow the Lord and allowed idolatry to persist in Judah (1Ki.15.3). He walked in all the sins of his father and did not have a fully devoted heart like his ancestor David (1Ki.15.3).

Abijah had fourteen wives and fathered twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters (2Ch.13.21). After his death, his son Asa succeeded him as king (1Ki.15.8; 2Ch.14.1). Abijah is also mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Mat.1.7.

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In Scripture

4 biblical books ; 1 with study content
1 Chronicles 1 verse
  • 1 Chronicles 3:10

    "Solomon’s son was Rehoboam: Abijah was his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,"

2 Chronicles 5 verses
  • 2 Chronicles 11:20

    "After her, he married Maacah daughter of Absalom, and she bore to him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith."

  • 2 Chronicles 11:22

    "Rehoboam appointed Abijah son of Maacah as chief prince among his brothers, intending to make him king."

  • 2 Chronicles 12:16

    "And Rehoboam rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And his son Abijah reigned in his place."

  • 2 Chronicles 13:1

    "In the eighteenth year of Jeroboam’s reign, Abijah became king of Judah,"

  • 2 Chronicles 13:2

    "and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Micaiah daughter of Uriel; she was from Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam."

1 Kings 4 verses
  • 1 Kings 14:31

    "And Rehoboam rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David; his mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite. And his son Abijam reigned in his place."

  • 1 Kings 15:1

    "In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijam became king of Judah,"

  • 1 Kings 15:7

    "As for the rest of the acts of Abijam, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam."

  • 1 Kings 15:8

    "And Abijam rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David, and his son Asa reigned in his place."

Matthew 1 verse
  • Matthew 1:7

    "Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa."

    Study Matthew →

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script
Named Hebrew אֲבִיָּה
Spelled Hebrew אֲבִיָּ֫הוּ
Named Hebrew אֲבִיָּם
Greek Greek Ἀβιά