2 Chronicles 13:1-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 13:1-12

Abijah's mother was called Maachah, the daughter of Absalom, 2 Chron. 11:20; here she is called Michaiah, the daughter of Uriel. It is most probable that she was a grand-daughter of Absalom, by his daughter Tamar (2 Sam. 14:27), and that her immediate father was this Uriel. But we are here to attend Abijah into the field of battle with Jeroboam king of Israel. I. God gave him leave to engage with Jeroboam, and owned him in the conflict, though he would not permit Rehoboam to do it, 2 Chron.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 13:13-22

We do not find that Jeroboam offered to make any answer at all to Abijah's speech. Though it was much to the purpose, he resolved not to heed it, and therefore he heard it as though he heard it not. He came to fight, not to dispute. The longest sword, he thought, would determine the matter, not the better cause. Let us therefore see the issue, whether right and religion carried the day or no. I. Jeroboam, who trusted to his politics, was beaten. He was so far from fair reasoning that he was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 13:1

Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah. ; see Gill on 1 Kings 15:1 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 13:2

He reigned three years in Jerusalem ,.... See Gill on 1 Kings 15:2 , his mother's name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah ; see 2 Chronicles 11:20 ; see Gill on 1 Kings 15:2 . and there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam ; and in this chapter is an account of a battle fought between them, not recorded in the book of Kings. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 13:3

And Abijah set the battle in array, with an army of valiant man of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men ,.... Collected such an army of select men, led them into his enemy's country, and set them in order of battle: and Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him, with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour ; double the number of Abijah s army, he having ten tribes to collect out of, and Abijah but two. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 13:4

And Abijah stood upon Mount Zemaraim, which is in Mount Ephraim ,.... Which might have its name from a city of Benjamin of this name, to which it was near, though within the borders of Ephraim, Joshua 18:22 formerly inhabited by the Zemarites, from whence it might have its name, Genesis 10:18 here Abijah stood, that he might be the better heard by the armies pitched in the valley; and very probably he desired a parley, and it was granted, otherwise he would not have been safe in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 13:5

Ought you not to know ,.... They did know what he afterwards says, but he would have them consider and acknowledge it: that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever ; to him and his seed, particularly to the Messiah, that should spring from him; but whether Abijah had this in view is a question, see 2 Samuel 7:13 . even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt ? that is, a perpetual one, which was inviolable, and never to be made void; called so,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 13:6

Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up ,.... Notwithstanding it was well known the kingdom was entailed on the posterity of David by an everlasting covenant; Abijah calls Jeroboam Solomon's servant, by way of great contempt, as Jarchi observes, he being the general receiver of his tax in the tribe of Ephraim, 1 Kings 11:28 . and hath rebelled against his lord ; his rightful king and sovereign; the charge is no less than high treason. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 13:7

And there are gathered unto him vain men ,.... Void of the fear of God, and all that is good: the children of Belial : men unprofitable, good for nothing, or that had cast off the yoke of the law of God, were lawless and abandoned persons: And have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon : rejected his government of them; went into a strong opposition to him, and set up another king over them: when Rehoboam was young and tender hearted, and could not withstand... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 13:8

And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the Lord in the hand of the sons of David ,.... To oppose them, prevail over them, and get it out of their hands, which is delivered to them by the Lord, as the Targum: and ye be a great multitude ; of which they boasted, and in which they trusted, being ten tribes to two, and in this army two to one: and there are with you golden calves which Jeroboam made you for gods ; or, "but F18 So Grotious, Schnidt, and others. there are... read more

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