1Ki 15:1-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Kgs 15:1-8: 15:1-8 The author of 1 &2 Kings describes the reign of each king of Judah in a typical pattern: the date of his accession in chronological relationship to the current king of the other kingdom (15:1 ), the length of his reign, the name of his mother (15:2 ), a spiritual evaluation of his character (15:3-5 ), details of his reign (15:6-7 ), sources where further data about him could be found (15:7 ), where he was buried, and his successor’s name (15:8 ). 15:1 Abijam (see study note on 2 Chr 13:1) reigned from 913 to 910 BC .

Summary for 1Kgs 15:1-8: 15:1-8 ^a The author of 1 &2 Kings describes the reign of each king of Judah in a typical pattern: the date of his accession in chronological relationship to the current king of the other kingdom (15:1 ^b), the length of his reign, the name of his mother (15:2 ^c), a spiritual evaluation of his character (15:3-5 ^d), details of his reign (15:6-7 ^e), sources where further data about him could be found (15:7 ^f), where he was buried, and his successor’s name (15:8 ^g). 15:1 ^h Abijam (see study note on 2 Chr 13:1) reigned from 913 to 910 BC.
15:2 ⁱ Abijam’s mother was Maacah, Rehoboam’s favorite of his eighteen wives. She was the granddaughter of Absalom. Presumably this Absalom is David’s son. Maacah, an idol worshiper, was an evil spiritual influence in Judah (15:13 ^j).
Summary for 1Kgs 15:3-5: 15:3-5 ^k Despite Abijam’s unfaithfulness, God remained faithful to his covenant with David (2 Sam 7:12-16 ^l; Ps 89:19-29 ^m) and preserved David’s line on Judah’s throne. Each king that followed David was to be a lamp, dispensing the light of God’s grace (1 Kgs 11:36 ⁿ).
15:6 ^o Abijam inherited the hostility between the northern and southern kingdoms. Like Rehoboam (14:30 ^p), he faced war with Jeroboam. During one notable battle (2 Chr 13:2-20 ^q), when Abijam and his outnumbered forces were surrounded by northern troops, they cried out to the Lord; God delivered them and enabled them to inflict a severe defeat on Jeroboam.
15:7 ^r rest of the events: Among other details of Abijam’s reign, the Chronicler tells us that he married fourteen wives and had thirty-eight children (2 Chr 13:21 ^s).