Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam's reign over Israel, Abijah began to rule over Judah. He reigned for three years from Jerusalem, with his mother Micaiah, daughter of Uriel from Gibeah, by his side. The relationship between Abijah and Jeroboam was strained, and there were ongoing conflicts.

Abijah mustered an impressive army of 400,000 battle-ready men to face off against Jeroboam's forces, which numbered a staggering 800,000 chosen warriors renowned for their bravery. Abijah took his stand on Mount Zemaraim in Ephraim, addressing the assembly and proclaiming, "Hear me, Jeroboam and all Israel! The Lord God of Israel gave the kingdom to David forever, through a covenant sealed with salt, promising it would remain with him and his descendants."

However, Jeroboam, Solomon's son and servant, had turned against his rightful lord. He was joined by men of little value who took advantage of Rehoboam's youth and vulnerability when he first became king. These individuals strengthened themselves against the young king, making it difficult for him to resist their influence.

Now you think you can stand against the kingdom of the Lord in the hands of the sons of David, with your massive army and golden calves made by Jeroboam as idols? Have you not rejected the priests of the Lord, the descendants of Aaron and Levites, and appointed yourselves as priests after the customs of other nations?

But we have remained faithful to the Lord; our God has not been forsaken. The priests who serve the Lord are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites attend to their duties with diligence. They offer morning and evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense, setting out the showbread on the pure table, with the golden lampstand and its burning lamps every evening. We have kept the commands of the Lord our God, but you have abandoned him.

But Jeroboam had secretly set up an ambush behind Abijah's forces, so they were caught between the enemy in front of them and the trap behind them. When Judah looked back, they saw the battle raging on both sides; desperate, they cried out to the Lord, and the priests sounded their trumpets.

The men of Judah let out a fierce cry, and God struck down Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. The children of Israel fled in terror, and the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Judahites. In the chaos, five hundred thousand chosen warriors of Israel were killed.

The Israelites suffered a crushing defeat that day, and they were subdued. But thanks to their faith in the Lord God of their ancestors, the people of Judah emerged victorious. Abijah continued to pursue Jeroboam, capturing key cities like Bethel with its surrounding towns, Jeshanah with its surrounding towns, and Ephraim with its surrounding towns.

Jeroboam never regained his strength during Abijah's reign; instead, he faced God's judgment and died as a result. Meanwhile, Abijah grew in power, marrying fourteen wives and fathering twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.

The rest of Abijah's story, including his actions and words, is recorded in the account written by the prophet Iddo.