Abijah (King of Judah)

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Hebrew ’Ăvîyâ (“My Father is Yah[weh]”), reflecting the use of the divine name in royal Judean names.
• Period/Era: Divided Kingdom
• Main References: 1 Kings 15:1–8; 2 Chronicles 13:1–22 (cf. 2 Chronicles 11:20–22)
• Key Connections: Son of Rehoboam; grandson of Solomon; rival of Jeroboam I of Israel; part of the House of David in Judah.

Who was Abijah (King of Judah)?

Abijah was the second king of Judah after the kingdom divided, ruling from Jerusalem.
He succeeded his father Rehoboam and reigned a short time (three years).
Biblical accounts describe him in conflict with the northern kingdom under Jeroboam.
He is listed within the Davidic royal line that continued in Judah.

Key Events & Achievements

• War with Israel: Faced Jeroboam I in a major battle, with Chronicles presenting a public address centered on Judah’s dynastic and temple claims (2 Chronicles 13).
• Territorial gains: Took towns from Israel, including Bethel, Jeshanah, and Ephron (2 Chronicles 13:19).
• Succession: Was followed on the throne of Judah by his son Asa (1 Kings 15:8).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Abijah’s reign illustrates how Judah’s kingship was remembered in relation to the Davidic dynasty and the Jerusalem-centered worship system.

Key Verse

"And behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with their trumpets to sound the battle cry against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you cannot succeed." — 2 Chronicles 13:12, ESV

FINAL VALIDATION (MANDATORY)

• Verify Testament rules were applied correctly.
• Verify theological neutrality.
• Verify historical classification accuracy.
• Verify all length and structure constraints. If any rule is violated, regenerate silently.