Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 13:21
But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begot twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.
21, 22. The Epilogue of Abijah’s Reign
21. married ] R.V. took unto himself. The many wives (fourteen) are mentioned here as a symbol of the wealth and state of Abijah.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 21. Married fourteen wives] Probably he made alliances with the neighbouring powers, by taking their daughters to him for wives.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Not now after this victory, for he died presently after it; but in the whole time of his life, before he was king and afterward.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
But Abijah waxed mighty,…. In his kingdom, increasing in riches and numbers, power and authority, and in his family:
and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons and sixteen daughters; not after the above battle, nor since he began to reign; for he reigned but three years; but he, no doubt, married wives and had children before he came to the throne, as he might have others after.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Wives and children of Abijah. His death. – 2Ch 13:21. While Jeroboam was not able to recover from the defeat he had suffered, Abijah established himself in his kingdom ( , cf. 2Ch 12:13), and took to himself fourteen wives. The taking of these wives is not to be regarded as later in time than his establishment of his rule after the victory over Jeroboam. Since Abijah reigned only three years, he must have already had the greater number of his wives and children when he ascended the throne, as we may gather also from 2Ch 11:21-23. The consec. with serves only to connect logically the information as to his wives and children with the preceding, as the great increase of his family was a sign of Abijah’s increase in strength, while Jeroboam’s dynasty was soon extirpated.
2Ch 13:22 As to the of the prophet Iddo, see the Introduction.
13:23 ( 2Ch 14:1). This is remarked here, because this rest was also a result of Abijah’s great victory over Jeroboam.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
See note on 1Ki 15:7
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(21) But Abijah waxed mighty.And Abijah strengthened himself, after his life-and-death struggle with Jeroboam. (See on 2Ch. 12:13.)
And married fourteen wives, and begat twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.Abijah reigned only three years altogether. He must, therefore, have had most of these wives and children before his accession. (2Ch. 11:21-23 may be said to imply this; see Note on 2Ch. 11:23.) A stop should be placed after the first clause, thus: And Abijah strengthened himself. And he took him fourteen wives, and begat twenty-two sons, etc. The two facts are merely placed side by side, though a tacit contrast may be suggested between the number of Abijahs off-spring, and the speedy extirpation of the house of Jeroboam.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 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 was wanting in number, was more than supplied by the justice of Abijah’s cause.
2. Abijah, if possible to prevent bloodshed, obtains a parley, and tries by force of argument to prevail, rather than by the sword. He sought not conquest, but would gladly part in peace. Every method of accommodation should be tried before we have recourse to war, or the law, where generally much is lost on both sides, and little gained by either. Abijah with his party being on mount Ephraim, and Jeroboam and his party within hearing, he expostulates with him, [1.] On the injustice of Jeroboam’s design. His former rebellion against his father was perfidious and base: he had taken advantage of his weakness during the infancy of his government: and, supported by men apostate from God, and sons of Belial, had withdrawn ten tribes from their allegiance: yet not satisfied with this, in opposition to the divine promises, he was now impiously attempting to dispossess David’s successors of the little which was left, and, in so doing, fighting against God, by whom the kings of Judah reigned. Note; (1.) Ambition is never satisfied. (2.) Success emboldens sinners. (3.) Prosperous iniquity is but a short-lived joy. [2.] He warns him of the danger to which he exposed himself. What could he hope for? an apostate, an idolater, a persecutor, who had calves for his gods, and the vilest people for his priests. Little could his numerous army profit him in such a case; whilst Abijah boasts of Judah’s fidelity to the great Jehovah; constant and exact in his worship at home; supported and strengthened by him, as the captain of their hope; animated by his ministers sounding the silver trumpets, the earnest of certain victory. Wisely, therefore, he persuades him to desist from war, and not think to fight against the God of their fathers, since in such case inevitable ruin awaited him. Abijah’s own character, we find, 1Ki 15:3 was not the best; yet he maintained God’s worship; and, though his own state was evil, his kingdom was under God’s protection. Note; (1.) They who have God for their enemy will find all human efforts vain. (2.) It is just in God to give up those to ruin, who apostatize from his service. (3.) Diligent observance of God’s instituted ordinances will bring its own reward. (4.) A good cause gives men courage; and how much more the presence and support of the great God! (5.) Fair warning of their danger leaves sinners inexcusable in their obstinacy.
2nd, They who are devoted to destruction, are deaf to admonition.
1. Jeroboam, perhaps while Abijah was speaking, took the advantage to plant an ambuscade behind him; and, instead of answering his reasoning, produced, as he concluded, the weightier argument of the longest sword.
2. Abijah and his servants put the battle in array; but no sooner was the front engaged, than a cry in the rear alarmed and terrified him. In deep distress they cried to the Lord, Save, or we perish! and, trusting all on his succour, endured the shock. The priests, with trumpets sounding, inspired more than mortal courage; and loud the men of Judah shout as for victory, rush on their foes, dispirited, and smitten of God with panic fear. A terrible havock ensued, such as no other history affords in any one battle; for, five hundred thousand men lay dead on the field. Note; (1.) God often leaves his people to fall into the most imminent danger, to awaken their cries, to exercise their faith, and make his deliverance of them more glorious. (2.) If we are enabled to trust in God, then shall we not be moved. (3.) The prayer of faith and the shout of victory, are inseparable. (4.) Civil wars and disputes among brethren are usually most bitter and bloody.
3. Abijah pursued his blow in the recovery of part of the revolted cities, particularly Beth-el, from whence Jeroboam had either withdrawn the calf, or Abijah had not zeal enough to destroy it. We find it still there, 2Ki 10:29.
4. Death, soon after this, removed them both from the throne, to give an account of their government to the King of kings. Jeroboam, weakened with his defeat, and smitten of God with sickness, perhaps broken-hearted through pride and vexation on his losses, lingered for a while, and then died as miserably as he had lived wickedly. Mark the end of those men who forsake God. Abijah, strengthened by his acquisitions, and blessed with a numerous family, waxed mighty; but his greatness was short-lived; (such is the fate of all sublunary possessions!) he soon slept with his fathers; and in the book of Iddo, which has long since perished, a farther account of his wars, private character, and sayings, was recorded. Note; The preservation of the inspired writings from the ravages of time, is a singular instance of divine providence, which we are bound to acknowledge with thankfulness.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
There appears to have been no grace in Abijah’s heart; though the Lord was pleased to make him an instrument in his hand for the destruction of Jeroboam. Reader! is not this the case in the present hour?
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 13:21 But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.
Ver. 21. And married fourteen wives. ] Some of them before he came to the kingdom. Junius well readeth it, He had married fourteen wives. This was against an express law, Deu 17:17 besides the utter unlawfulness of polygamy, whereof before. But many great men make little of laws; it is plea sufficient for their offence that it is –
“ facinus maioris abollae. ”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
waxed: 2Sa 5:12, 2Sa 5:13
fourteen wives: 2Ch 11:21
begat: Jdg 8:30, Jdg 8:31, Jdg 9:5, Jdg 10:4
Reciprocal: 1Ki 14:31 – Abijam 1Ki 15:7 – the rest
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ch 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.