1 Kings 15 1

1 Kings 15:1 kjv

Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah.

1 Kings 15:1 nkjv

In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijam became king over Judah.

1 Kings 15:1 niv

In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijah became king of Judah,

1 Kings 15:1 esv

Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijam began to reign over Judah.

1 Kings 15:1 nlt

Abijam began to rule over Judah in the eighteenth year of Jeroboam's reign in Israel.

1 Kings 15 verses

1 Kings 15 1 Meaning

This verse marks the precise beginning of Abijam's reign as king over the Southern Kingdom of Judah, establishing its timing relative to the ongoing rule of Jeroboam, the king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. It synchronizes the historical accounts of the two divided kingdoms, indicating that Abijam ascended the throne in the eighteenth regnal year of Jeroboam. This meticulous dating reflects the biblical authors' commitment to historical accuracy and their intent to present a cohesive narrative of God's people after the split of the united monarchy.

1 Kings 15 1 Context

First Kings Chapter 15 continues the historical record of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Following the reigns of Rehoboam in Judah and Jeroboam in Israel, the text begins to introduce the next generation of kings. This verse precisely establishes Abijam's (also known as Abijah in 2 Chronicles) accession to the throne of Judah by cross-referencing it with the ongoing reign of Jeroboam in Israel. This dating system is crucial for keeping track of parallel events in the two distinct monarchies. The broader context includes the consequences of Solomon's unfaithfulness leading to the kingdom's division (1 Kgs 11), Jeroboam's foundational sin of instituting idolatry in the North (1 Kgs 12), and the subsequent spiritual decline in both kingdoms. While Israel under Jeroboam was already steeped in idolatry, Judah, despite having the legitimate Davidic line, also experienced spiritual failings during Rehoboam's and Abijam's reigns.

1 Kings 15 1 Word analysis

• Now: The Hebrew term "וְעַתָּה" (wə'attāh) serves as a transition, drawing attention to a new chronological marker and shift in the narrative focus to the next king. It implies continuity within the historical account.

• in the eighteenth year: This precise numerical dating highlights the historical consciousness of the biblical writer. It indicates meticulous record-keeping, allowing for the synchronization of the histories of Judah and Israel. Such details emphasize the reliability and specificity of the biblical narrative concerning historical events.

• of King Jeroboam: Jeroboam (Yārāḇə'ām), meaning "the people increase" or "contender for the people," is specified as the king of the Northern Kingdom, Israel. He represents the first monarch who actively led Israel away from proper Yahweh worship.

• the son of Nebat: This patronymic ("נֶבָט", Nebaṭ, likely meaning "vision" or "gaze") is consistently attached to Jeroboam throughout Kings, Chronicles, and prophetic books (e.g., 1 Kgs 12:2; 14:16). It serves as a stark reminder, almost a derogatory epithet, highlighting his singular responsibility for instituting the sin of idolatry (golden calves at Dan and Bethel) that plagued Israel's spiritual history until its eventual exile. It's more than just identification; it's a condemnation and a signpost of ongoing rebellion.

• Abijam: The name "אֲבִיָּם" (ʾĂḇiyyām) is often translated as "My Father is Yam (Sea)" or, more likely, a shorter form of "Abijah" (אֲבִיָּה, ʾĂḇiyyāh), meaning "My Father is Yah" or "Yahweh is my Father." While the meaning of the name could be taken positively, reflecting a reliance on God, the individual's actions determine their spiritual standing. In 2 Chronicles 13, the same king is consistently called Abijah. This slight variation might be a scribal difference, an intentional alteration by the King's author (though less likely without clearer motive), or a dialectical preference, but biblical scholarship confirms it refers to the same individual.

• began to reign: The Hebrew verb "מָלַךְ" (mālakh) denotes the active taking of royal power, establishing dominion, and assuming sovereignty. It signifies a transfer of authority and the commencement of a new rule.

• over Judah: This phrase clearly distinguishes Abijam's kingdom, the Southern Kingdom, which continued to uphold the Davidic covenant and included Jerusalem, the location of the Temple. This sets it apart from the northern kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam, emphasizing the perpetuation of the legitimate Davidic line.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat": This phrase precisely fixes the chronology of the Southern Kingdom's new king in relation to the Northern Kingdom. It underlines the interconnectedness of their histories while implicitly contrasting Judah's relative stability (a single Davidic dynasty) with the volatile successions often seen in Israel. The emphasis on "son of Nebat" marks the dark stain of Jeroboam's religious apostasy on Israel's timeline.
  • "Abijam began to reign over Judah": This declarative statement concisely records the enthronement of a new king in Judah, marking the continuation of the Davidic dynasty promised by God, despite the ongoing division of the kingdom. It contrasts the Davidic succession, directly tied to divine covenant, with the precarious, unfaithful lineage of Jeroboam's house in the north.

1 Kings 15 1 Bonus section

• The Chronicler's account in 2 Chronicles 13 provides a much more detailed and spiritually-oriented narrative of Abijah/Abijam's short reign, including a significant war between Judah and Israel where Abijah delivered a powerful theological address (2 Chr 13:4-12). The book of Kings offers a more condensed, primarily regnal summary. The difference in emphasis between the two books reflects their distinct literary purposes and theological agendas.
• Scholars have noted the common biblical practice of dating events in one kingdom by referring to the regnal years of the king in the other kingdom, reflecting shared records and the inherent interest in their parallel histories, despite their political and religious animosity. While such synchronization can present minor numerical challenges for modern chronologers seeking absolute dates, its presence confirms the biblical authors' commitment to portraying the history with internal consistency.
• The fact that God maintained a lamp (a line of kings) for David in Judah, despite the division and the shortcomings of individual kings like Abijam (who "walked in all the sins of his father," 1 Kgs 15:3), powerfully testifies to the enduring faithfulness of God to His covenant with David (2 Sam 7:12-16). This covenant ultimately finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Son of David.

1 Kings 15 1 Commentary

1 Kings 15:1 serves as a foundational chronological marker in the dual histories of Judah and Israel. The author's primary aim is to establish synchronism, enabling readers to follow events in both kingdoms simultaneously. The precise dating "in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam" reveals a sophisticated historical framework, highlighting that divine oversight encompasses the narratives of both fragmented entities.

The repetitive designation of Jeroboam as "the son of Nebat" carries profound theological weight. It is not merely an identifier but a constant reminder of the first Israelite king's profound apostasy (1 Kgs 12:28-30), which plunged the northern tribes into idolatry and laid the spiritual foundation for their eventual destruction. This contrast implicitly underscores Judah's position as the inheritor of the legitimate covenantal line through David, even as Abijam, like his father Rehoboam (1 Kgs 14:22-24), would also stray from complete fidelity to Yahweh. The mention of "Abijam," interchangeable with "Abijah" from 2 Chronicles 13, emphasizes his Davidic lineage and signifies the continuous, though often flawed, kingship from David's line, safeguarded by God's promise.