2Ch 13:2-20 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Chr 13:2-3: 13:2-3 The ongoing conflict between Rehoboam and Jeroboam (see 12:15 ) carried into the reign of Abijah . Abijah might have been attempting to reunite north and south, as is suggested by his speech (13:5-12 ). The large numbers of soldiers on each side correspond approximately to David’s census (2 Sam 24:9 ); Israel’s double number of soldiers magnifies God’s intervention on behalf of Judah (2 Chr 13:14-19 ).

Summary for 2Chr 13:2-3: 13:2-3 ^a The ongoing conflict between Rehoboam and Jeroboam (see 12:15 ^b) carried into the reign of Abijah. Abijah might have been attempting to reunite north and south, as is suggested by his speech (13:5-12 ^c). The large numbers of soldiers on each side correspond approximately to David’s census (2 Sam 24:9 ^d); Israel’s double number of soldiers magnifies God’s intervention on behalf of Judah (2 Chr 13:14-19 ^e).
13:4 ^f Mount Zemaraim: The town of that name was on the northern border of Benjamin (see Josh 18:22 ^g), about five miles northeast of Bethel. Benjamin was a buffer and a battleground between the northern and southern kingdoms.
13:5 ^h a lasting covenant: Literally a covenant of salt. Salt was required with a grain offering (Lev 2:13 ⁱ). The social and religious background for this phrase is unknown. However, salt was used as a preservative and provided an apt metaphor for a permanent covenant.
Summary for 2Chr 13:6-7: 13:6-7 ^j Abijah’s speech castigated the northerners for refusing to support the kingdom of David.
Summary for 2Chr 13:8-9: 13:8-9 ^k Abijah’s speech made two key points about the rebellion of the north: The north rejected the only legitimate king, and they rejected the only legitimate place of worship. The revolt of the northerners, who chased away the proper priestly order, is sharply contrasted with “us” (13:10 ^l). Most objectionable was the worship of the calves and the role of the unauthorized priests.
Summary for 2Chr 13:10-11: 13:10-11 ^m Abijah’s speech portrays him as concerned about the purity of worship at Jerusalem. The account in Kings says nothing of Abijah’s devotion (1 Kgs 15:3-4 ⁿ).
Summary for 2Chr 13:13-19: 13:13-19 ^o The example of God’s people turning to him and his helping them, even after the kingdom had been disrupted, provided hope for the original readers in a similar situation.
13:19 ^p The Lord granted the kingdom of Judah a miraculous victory. Abijah took the territories surrounding Bethel, Jeshanah, and Ephron from Israel (13:19 ^q). Together with Zemaraim (13:4 ^r), these towns in the hill country on the northern border of Judah formed a geographical unit (see Josh 18:22-23 ^s). The subsequent history of this territorial gain is not known; by the time of Amos (about 760 BC), Bethel was a major pagan shrine in Israel.
13:20 ^t Jeroboam outlived Abijah (see 1 Kgs 15:9 ^u). The report of his death is included with his defeat, which was typical of vanquished warriors (see 2 Kgs 19:37 ^v).