Daily Devotional for Friday, April 4

Abijah, the Father

   “But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters. And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the story of the prophet Iddo,” 2 Chronicles 13:21, 22.

After Rehoboam’s disastrous reign, 2 Chronicles’ account of Abijah’s reign is a breath of fresh air. His challenge to Jeroboam on Mount Zemaraim and God’s favorable response gave hope for Judah. Abijah trusted in the Lord and followed God’s Law and commands during that short season. His father, Rehoboam, “did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord” (2 Chronicles 12:14), but the same was not said of Abijah, although 1 Kings records he struggled with the same sins. He did what was right on Mount Zemaraim and stood for the Lord. He is remembered for that courageous moment.

In the summary of his life at the end of 2 Chronicles 13, we learn a couple key characteristics about him. First, he “waxed mighty” (verse 21). The Hebrew word means “to strengthen; to put forth strength; to withstand; to hold strongly with.” Abijah stood firm, especially compared to idolatrous Jeroboam. As Jeroboam waned, Abijah grew. We also see “his ways, and his sayings” were preserved in writing by Iddo the royal prophet. We can only wonder what those words were.

Abijah had fourteen wives who, all together, produced thirty-eight princes and princesses. We know very little about the bunch, but leading the pack was Asa. He led Judah into a time of peace for ten years. No doubt, he heard of his father’s brave stand against Jeroboam and Israel’s army that was twice the size of Judah’s. That kind of courage and trust in the Lord made an impact on the next generation.

THOUGHT

“The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him” (Proverbs 23:24).

Kelli Reynolds