Who was Abijah in the Bible?

What does the Bible say about Abijah?

Abijah, also known as Abijam (1Ki.14.31), was the second king of Judah after the division of the united monarchy. He was the son of Rehoboam and Maacah, the daughter of Absalom (2Ch.11.20). Abijah reigned for three years in Jerusalem (2Ch.13.1-2; 1Ki.15.1-2). During his reign, there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam, the king of Israel (2Ch.13.3). In a battle at Mount Zemaraim, Abijah addressed the Israelites, emphasizing the legitimacy of the Davidic dynasty and the importance of the Levitical priesthood (2Ch.13.4-12). Despite being outnumbered, Judah prevailed against Israel because they relied on the Lord (2Ch.13.13-18). Abijah expanded his power, taking cities from Jeroboam and growing stronger (2Ch.13.19-21). However, like his father Rehoboam, Abijah did not fully follow the Lord and allowed idolatry to persist in Judah (1Ki.15.3). He walked in all the sins of his father and did not have a fully devoted heart like his ancestor David (1Ki.15.3). Abijah had fourteen wives and fathered twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters (2Ch.13.21). After his death, his son Asa succeeded him as king (1Ki.15.8; 2Ch.14.1). Abijah is also mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Mat.1.7.

Where does Abijah appear in the Bible?

Abijah is referenced in 15 verses across 3 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.

• 1 Chronicles 3:10
• 2 Chronicles 11:20
• 2 Chronicles 11:22
• 2 Chronicles 12:16
• 2 Chronicles 13:1
• 2 Chronicles 13:3
• 2 Chronicles 13:4
• 2 Chronicles 13:15
• 2 Chronicles 13:17
• 2 Chronicles 13:19
• 2 Chronicles 13:20
• 2 Chronicles 13:21
• 2 Chronicles 13:22
• 2 Chronicles 14:1
• Matthew 1:7

What else appears in these passages?

These turn up in the same passages as Abijah.