2Ch 13:2 | KingComments | STEP | It is worth remembering that here we still find principles related to the kingdom of God, as it is in the present dispensation to people and what they have done with it. We see what the kings do with their responsibility. We see in 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles what the grace of God brings about despite the failure. Restoration is always the result of that grace through which God maintains His work. We see this principle clearly in this chapter. Abijah becomes king ( ). This is not because he is appointed by the LORD – as is the case with David and Solomon – but because his father has appointed him ( ). Although he was not appointed by the LORD, we see that God fulfills His plan through all human actions and thus maintains the kingship of the house of David. He does so in view of the great Son of David. Abijah reigns for three years ( ), from 913-911 BC. In 1 Kings 15 we also have the history of Abijah (his name means ‘Yahweh is my Father’). There – he is called there Abijam – the emphasis is on the evil character of Abijah. There we see that his heart does not have the right mind ( ). We do not read there about his battle with Jeroboam, which is being measured out broadly here. What the LORD has forbidden his father Rehoboam ( ), Abijah does: he begins the battle with Jeroboam ( ). He does not resign himself to a situation of which the LORD said it came from Him ( ). So when he begins the battle with Jeroboam, he does something for which he has not received a commission from the LORD. Nor are we called upon to fight against fellow Christians to subjugate them to us. We must defend the truth, but not impose it. Our struggle is a defensive struggle, not an offensive one. The force ratio between the two armies is 1 to 2 (cf. ). Any thinking should have stopped Abijah from that battle. After all, he will lose hopelessly if he relies on his own strength. He only sees his desperate situation when Jeroboam has enclosed him ( ). Then he calls to the LORD.

‏ 2 Chronicles 13:2

Introduction

It is worth remembering that here we still find principles related to the kingdom of God, as it is in the present dispensation to people and what they have done with it. We see what the kings do with their responsibility. We see in 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles what the grace of God brings about despite the failure. Restoration is always the result of that grace through which God maintains His work. We see this principle clearly in this chapter.

War Between Abijah and Jeroboam

Abijah becomes king (2Chr 13:1). This is not because he is appointed by the LORD – as is the case with David and Solomon – but because his father has appointed him (2Chr 11:22). Although he was not appointed by the LORD, we see that God fulfills His plan through all human actions and thus maintains the kingship of the house of David. He does so in view of the great Son of David.

Abijah reigns for three years (2Chr 13:2), from 913-911 BC. In 1 Kings 15 we also have the history of Abijah (his name means ‘Yahweh is my Father’). There – he is called there Abijam – the emphasis is on the evil character of Abijah. There we see that his heart does not have the right mind (1Kgs 15:3). We do not read there about his battle with Jeroboam, which is being measured out broadly here.

What the LORD has forbidden his father Rehoboam (2Chr 11:1-4), Abijah does: he begins the battle with Jeroboam (2Chr 13:3). He does not resign himself to a situation of which the LORD said it came from Him (1Chr 11:4). So when he begins the battle with Jeroboam, he does something for which he has not received a commission from the LORD. Nor are we called upon to fight against fellow Christians to subjugate them to us. We must defend the truth, but not impose it. Our struggle is a defensive struggle, not an offensive one.

The force ratio between the two armies is 1 to 2 (cf. Lk 14:31). Any thinking should have stopped Abijah from that battle. After all, he will lose hopelessly if he relies on his own strength. He only sees his desperate situation when Jeroboam has enclosed him (2Chr 13:13). Then he calls to the LORD.