- 36th of the Biblical Patriarchs
- 5th King of Judah
- Major Biblical figure
Biography
Abijah, Abijam or Abia was, according to the Hebrew Bible, the 4th King of the House of David and the second of the Kingdom of Judah. He was the son of Rehoboam and the grandson of Solomon. The Chronicler refers to him as Abijah.
Family
Abijam is reported in the books of Kings and Chronicles as being related to Maacah, Micaiah, and King Asa of Judah. Scholars have found the biblical accounts of Abijam's family to be contradictory.[6] While a number of theories have been suggested, no explanation can accommodate all available sources or has proved definitively compelling. Abijah married fourteen wives, and had 22 sons and 16 daughters.
Reign of Abijah
Following the death of Rehoboam, his son Abijah succeeded the throne as King of Judah.[13] He began his three-year reign (2 Chr. 12:16; 13:1, 2) with a strenuous but unsuccessful effort to bring back the ten tribes of the northern Kingdom of Israel to their allegiance.
Following Abijah's ascension to the throne in the 18th year of King Jeroboam I of Israel, he marched north with the purpose of winning Israel back to the Davidic kingdom.[13] Jeroboam surrounded Abijah's army, engaging in the battle of Mount Zemaraim.[13] Abijah captured the Israelite cities of Jeshanah, Ephron (et-Taiyibeh) and Bethel.[13]
Marriage and Family
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Asa of Judah (-870 BC) | Jerusalem, Kingdom of Judah | 870 Kingdom of Judah | Azubah |
Siblings
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Jeush ben Rehoboam | |||
| Shemariah ben Rehoboam | |||
| Zaham ben Rehoboam | |||
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Abijah of Judah | 950 Jerusalem, Kingdom of Judah | 911 Jerusalem, Kingdom of Judah | |
| Attai ben Rehoboam | |||
| Ziza ben Rehoboam | |||
| Shelomith ben Rehoboam | |||
Abijah of Judah
36th Biblical Patriarch | ||
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Rehoboam |
5th King of Judah 910 – 869 BC |
Succeeded by Asa |
References
- 1 Chr 2:3-12
- Gospel of Matthew Ch 1
- Gospel of Luke Ch 3
- Abijah - LDS Bible Dictionary
- of Judah Abijah of Judah - Wikipedia
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