Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 15:7
Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.
7. Now [R.V. And ] the rest of the acts of Abijam ] Consisting no doubt principally of the great victory over Jeroboam near mount Zemaraim (2Ch 13:17) which inflicted so much disaster and loss upon the northern kingdom, that Jeroboam did not recover strength again during Abijam’s reign. The source from which the Chronicler drew his additional information about Abijam is called ‘the commentary of the prophet Iddo.’ (2Ch 13:22.)
war between Abijam and Jeroboam ] Josephus ( Ant. viii. 11. 2) says Jeroboam despised Abijam because of his youth.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The chronicles of the kings of Judah; in their annals; whence they were long after this time translated into the sacred Book of Chronicles. See Poole “1Ki 14:19“.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?…. Which seem to be written by Iddo the prophet, see 2Ch 13:22,
and there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam; and a famous pitched battle between them we read of in 2Ch 13:3.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Commentary on 1Ki 15:7-12 AND 2Ch 13:21 to 2Ch 14:5
Asa Reigns in Judah,
Though the reign of Abijah was short he managed to do mighty deeds in its tenure. The defeat of Israel and Jeroboam is the only one recorded, however. He had a harem comparable to that of his father, though he had only fourteen wives. They produced for him twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters. As the wealth of Judah depreciates the kings seem able to support a smaller and smaller harem.
The account of Abijah’s reign was kept in the chronicles of Judah. The Chronicles say it was written “in the story of the prophet Iddo.” This must have been an uninspired biography of the popular king, very little of which the Lord saw fit to include in His inspired account. He appears to have continued his state of war with Jeroboam throughout his short reign. When he died he was buried with honor in the tombs of the kings in the city of David.
Abijah was succeeded by his son, Asa. He must have been quite young, though his age is unmentioned, for his father was still a young man. He continued as king of Judah for forty-one years, one year longer than any previous king of Judah, or Israel. He is said to be the son of Maachah, which means, of course, grandson, for Abijah was the son of that princess.
Asa’s early reign was a refreshment for Judah. The total subjugation of Israel allowed Judah to escape war for ten years, but there were no wars with foreign nations either. This was due to the blessing of the Lord, for Asa was a true son of David, doing what was “good and right in the eyes of the Lord.” He demolished idols, images, groves, and high places, everything which was connected with idolatry and pagan worship. The sodomites (homosexuals) were put to death in accordance with the law of God by Moses. Asa led the people in a revival of the worship of the Lord in truth, which spread throughout his kingdom.
2Ch 14:6
(The 1st edition Hardbound version of the commentary includes the following comments under 1 Kings 15).
Ethiopians Defeated, 2Ch 14:6-15
Asa used the period of peace and time of God’s blessing to carry out some expedient moves toward national security. He is not to be censured for this, for the Lord expects men to use the abilities with which He has blessed them in a practical manner (cf. De 8:18). It was not that he lacked faith in the Lord to care for Israel’s needs, but he used his God-given ability to prepare for the defense of his county, still relying on the Lord to make it successful. So he fortified his cities, strengthening them with walls, towers, gates, and bars. Asa acknowledged that it was the blessing of God which enabled them to do this, and He blessed them because they had sought Him.
So Asa prospered in his early reign. .He equipped his army with weapons, as targets (small shields), spears, bows, etc. the army consisted of 300,000 men from Judah to wield the weapons, and 240,000 from Benjamin with their shields and bows. They were brave, well-trained, and valorous men.
As the sequel will show it seems that Judah and King Asa may have become too self-confidant in all this. God had blessed Abijah with victory over Israel, and they were enjoying the ensuing peace. It looked like the Lord was on their side, and they began to think it may have been due to the presence of the temple among them, or the good people who dwelt there, or the prophets who preached His message. Too, God had enabled them to raise and equip a formidable army and to greatly strengthen the major cities.
So the Lord sent a trial upon Judah and Asa. A huge army of Ethiopians, out of Africa, under their king, Zerah, invaded the land. It numbered one million men, soldiers and camp followers, and they possessed three hundred of the terrible war chariots which could overrun, maim and kill foot soldiers like the men of Judah. They made their camp at the valley of Zephathah, near Mareshah. This was southwest of Jerusalem, some forty or fifty miles, in the Philistine foothills coming out of Egypt. The Ethiopians set themselves here for a battle, and Asa camped here with his army also.
Asa knew that physical means were inadequate to resist this formidable enemy. so he cried to the Lord. Three points are outstanding in his prayer: 1) Judah was insufficient to meet the enemy alone, but the Lord does not count numbers in His battles; 2) Asa would leave his case, and that of Judah, in the hands of the Lord; 3) if the battle should be won and man’s expectations put to nought, it must be by the power of God.
It was the Lord who smote the Ethiopians; the Scriptures say, “before Asa and Judah,” meaning that it was clearly evident that the victory was not wrought by the hand of man. Verse 13 says the Ethiopians were smitten before the Lord and before the host of His heavenly army, who fought that day on the side of Judah. The Ethiopians were routed thoroughly, turning to flee toward their homeland, too diminished to make a stand. The army of Judah pursued them all the way to Gerar, taking much battle spoil. The tribes around Gerar, who had befriended the Ethiopians, were overrun by Asa’s army. All were spoiled, and cattle, sheep, and camels were captured and returned to Jerusalem. The kingdom of Judah was greatly enriched by the outcome.
Some lessons to loam: 1) popularity with men is not often popularity with the Lord (Lu 6:26); 2) a godly ruler begets God’s blessings on the people he governs (2Sa 23:3-4); 3) some trials must come because God’s children become too confident in the flesh (Pro 3:5); 4) at the last the Lord will intercede for those who trust in Him (Psa 27:10).
2Ch 15:1-7
(The 1st edition Hardbound version of the commentary includes the following comments under 1 Kings 15).
Prophetic Warning, 2Ch 15:1-7
Another prophet of the Lord appears for the first time in the Scriptures, Azariah, upon whom God’s Spirit moved. He came meeting Asa and the victorious army of Judah following the slaughter of the Ethiopians. God was sending Azariah with a message of admonition and warning. Its precepts are as true for today as they were in that long gone day. Perhaps the men of Judah and Benjamin were somewhat exultant over the great spoil of so huge an army. Men are inclined to boast in the blessings which God gives them, though it is only by the grace of the Lord they have them. God warned Israel against just such an attitude (De 8:11-18).
Notice 1) Judah and Benjamin are told to hear, that is to pay attention to the word from the Lord they are about to hear; 2) the Lord is with those who are with Him; 3) if He is sought in the proper spirit He will surely be found of the seeker; 4) but, on the contrary He will forsake those who forsake Him. There is a familiar anecdote about Abraham Lincoln, during the Civil War. A lady once asked him, “Mr. President, do you think the Lord is on our side?” To which Lincoln is said to have replied, “I do not know, but I certainly hope we are on the Lord’s side.” The prophet was saying to Asa that the Lord’s blessing is assured when His people are with Him, on His side.
Azariah next gives a bit of history about the northern kingdom not elsewhere revealed in the Scriptures. He speaks of the apostasy of that kingdom under her wicked king, Jeroboam and his successors. They had forsaken the true God of Israel, and were without any who taught the law of God or a faithful priest in His service. Then trouble had come to that kingdom, specifically in their terrible loss to Judah in the Battle of Mount Zemaraim. Soon after this old Jeroboam had died, and there was a period of anarchy during which Baasha strove to make himself king by exterminating the family of Jeroboam. City was arrayed against city, the inhabitants of the land suffered great vexation, and there was no peace to be had. But Israel had sought the Lord, and He had heard them.
There were true prophets in the northern kingdom, preaching the truth of God then, though their names and their acts are not recorded. But the distress of the times caused them to seek the Lord. This seems to be part of the warning to Judah. They must not think that it was their goodness, or faithfulness over and above that of the nation of Israel for which God blessed Judah while chastising Israel. God blessed those then who repented and sought His will, then followed His will in obedience. He also blesses those now who likewise remain humble, knowing they are not better than those who are being chastised. It is obedient following which makes the difference, and the tables can be swiftly turned if the condition changes. Therefore, the prophet closed with the words, “Be strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded” cf. 1Co 16:13; Gal 6:9.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
7. The rest of the acts of Abijam We have, in 2 Chronicles 13, a detailed account of his successful war with Jeroboam. There, too, we learn that the prophet Iddo chronicled his acts, and his book contained, perhaps, things not recorded in the public annuals.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ki 15:7 Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.
Ver. 7. And there was war. ] Sharp wars, 2Ch 13:3 by a just hand of God upon both those kingdoms for their idolatry. And for like cause the dissensions between England and Scotland consumed more Christian blood, wrought more spoil and destruction, and continued longer than ever quarrel we read of did between any two people of the world.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the rest. See 2Ch 13:3, &c.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the rest: 1Ki 14:29, 2Ch 13:2, 2Ch 13:21, 2Ch 13:22
there was war: 2Ch 13:3-20
Reciprocal: 1Ki 14:30 – General 1Ki 15:16 – General 1Ki 15:23 – rest of all 2Ki 20:20 – the book