2 Chronicles 13:20. The Lord struck him Either with vexation and horror of mind, or with some painful and lingering, but incurable disease, like that of Jehoram, which tormented him two years together, and at last killed him, 2 Chronicles 21:19. And he died Not immediately, but a year or two after this time. He escaped the sword of Abijah; but there is no escaping God’s sword. read more
2 Chronicles 13:21. Abijah married fourteen wives Not now after this victory, for he died soon after it; but in the whole time of his life, before he was king, and afterward. read more
10:1-36:23 THE KINGS OF JUDAHDivision and its consequences (10:1-13:22)The Chronicler records the division of the kingdom (10:1-11:4; see notes on 1 Kings 12:1-24), but omits the statement in 1 Kings 12:20 that Jeroboam was made king of the northern tribes. He does not even mention Jeroboam’s reign (1 Kings 12:25-14:20). He considers that because the northerners broke away from the dynasty of David and from the true worship of God, they had no right to be called a kingdom, and certainly not the... read more
he died. Figure of speech Hysterologia. App-6 . Jeroboam outlived Abijah. See note on 1 Kings 14:20 . read more
2 Chronicles 13:21. Abijah waxed mighty, and married, &c.— But Abijah had not delayed to marry fourteen wives. Houbigant. REFLECTIONS.—1st, Abijah is scarcely fixed on the throne, before we find him involved in a dangerous war. Perhaps Jeroboam thought to take advantage of him on his accession, as unprepared, and unable to withstand him. 1. Immense armies on both sides were drawn into the field, but the men of Israel were twice as many as those of Judah. The forces were unequal; but what... read more
19. Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him—This sanguinary action widened the breach between the people of the two kingdoms. Abijah abandoned his original design of attempting the subjugation of the ten tribes, contenting himself with the recovery of a few border towns, which, though lying within Judah or Benjamin, had been alienated to the new or northern kingdom. Among these was Beth-el, which, with its sacred associations, he might be strongly desirous to wrest from... read more
20. Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah—The disastrous action at Zemaraim, which caused the loss of the flower and chivalry of his army, broke his spirits and crippled his power. the Lord struck him, and he died—that is, Jeroboam. He lived, indeed, two years after the death of Abijah (1 Kings 14:20; 1 Kings 15:9). But he had been threatened with great calamities upon himself and his house, and it is apparently to the execution of these threatenings, which issued in... read more
Reign of AbijahThis chapter expands the account given of Abijah (Abijam) in 1 Kings 15:1-8 by giving details of his war with Jeroboam, which is there only briefly mentioned.2. Michaiah] In 2 Chronicles 11:21 and 1 Kings 15:2 she is called ’Maachah,’ and was probably daughter of Uriel and granddaughter of Absalom.3. Four hundred thousand, etc.] These numbers (see also 2 Chronicles 13:17) are in keeping with the large figures that appear elsewhere in Chronicles: see 2 Chronicles 14:8-9; 2... read more
(19) Took cities from him.—The three cities and their districts were only temporarily annexed to Judah. According to 1 Kings 15:17-21, Baasha, King of Israel, attempted in the next reign to fortify Ramah, which was only about five miles north of Jerusalem. He had probably recovered these towns before doing so (Bertheau).Bethel.—Beitin. (Genesis 12:8; Joshua 7:2.)Jeshanah.—Not mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament. Probably identical with Ἰσάνας of Josephus (Ant. xiv. 15, § 12); site unknown.... read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Chronicles 13:19
2 Chronicles 13:19. Abijah took cities from him, Beth-el, &c. Which, however, Jeroboam recovered afterward, as appears by the course of the history. What became of the golden calf at Beth-el, when that place came thus into the hands of the king of Judah, we are not told. Probably when Jeroboam’s host was discomfited, and he expected that Abijah would pursue his victory, he removed the golden calf from thence to some safer place. And Ephraim A city so called, possibly the same which is... read more