1 Kings 15:7 kjv
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.
1 Kings 15:7 nkjv
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.
1 Kings 15:7 niv
As for the other events of Abijah's reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
1 Kings 15:7 esv
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.
1 Kings 15:7 nlt
The rest of the events in Abijam's reign and everything he did are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Judah. There was constant war between Abijam and Jeroboam.
1 Kings 15 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 15:1-2 | In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijam began to reign over Judah... | Context of Abijam's accession and short reign. |
| 2 Chr 13:1-22 | Abijah mounted a fierce campaign... And Abijah went on with his forces, and killed of Israel five hundred thousand picked men. | Detailed account of the war with Jeroboam. |
| 1 Kgs 14:30 | And there was war continually between Rehoboam and Jeroboam. | Continues the theme of constant conflict. |
| 1 Kgs 12:16-19 | When all Israel saw that the king did not listen... So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. | Describes the initial schism causing division. |
| 1 Kgs 15:16 | There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. | Demonstrates ongoing war between Judah and Israel. |
| 1 Kgs 11:41 | Now the rest of the acts of Solomon... are they not written in the Book of the Acts of Solomon? | Example of the standard kingly summary formula. |
| 1 Kgs 14:19 | Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam... are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? | Reference to Northern Kingdom's chronicles. |
| 1 Kgs 14:29 | Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam... are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? | Example of the chronicle reference for a previous Judah king. |
| 1 Kgs 15:23 | Now the rest of all the acts of Asa... are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? | Future king of Judah's reign also recorded in chronicles. |
| Neh 12:23 | The heads of fathers’ houses of the Levites were written in the Book of the Chronicles... | Indicates wider application of "chronicles" for records. |
| Esther 2:23 | And this was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king. | Non-Israelite parallel of royal record keeping. |
| Deut 31:24-26 | When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book to the very end, he commanded... "Take this Book of the Law." | Highlights the importance of written records from the Law. |
| Isa 30:8 | Now go, write it before them on a tablet, and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come as a perpetual witness. | Emphasis on the enduring nature of written records. |
| Jer 30:2 | “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you." | Divine instruction to record prophecies for posterity. |
| Lk 1:1-4 | Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished... that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. | Demonstrates importance of reliable, recorded accounts in NT. |
| 1 Kgs 11:31 | And he said to Jeroboam, “Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Behold, I am about to tear the kingdom from the hand of Solomon... | Prophecy of kingdom division, leading to the wars. |
| 1 Kgs 13:34 | This thing became sin to the house of Jeroboam, so as to cut it off and destroy it from the face of the earth. | Judgment against Jeroboam's idolatry, underlying the conflict. |
| Ps 78:67-70 | He rejected the tent of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but he chose the tribe of Judah... | Theological basis for Judah's selection, despite ongoing conflict. |
| Ps 136:21 | and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to Israel his servant. | God's continuing covenant and inheritance, despite the divided state. |
| Rom 15:4 | For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction... | Paul's view on the instructional purpose of Old Testament writings. |
1 Kings 15 verses
1 Kings 15 7 Meaning
This verse serves as a customary concluding statement for Abijam's reign in the book of 1 Kings. It states that the majority of King Abijam of Judah's actions and deeds are recorded in a specific historical document, the "Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah." Following this archival reference, the verse highlights a significant detail from his reign: the ongoing state of war between Abijam and Jeroboam, the king of the northern kingdom of Israel. It emphasizes the historical record-keeping practices and underscores the persistent division and conflict between the two kingdoms after the split.
1 Kings 15 7 Context
1 Kings chapter 15 continues the historical narrative of the divided monarchy after the reign of Rehoboam and Jeroboam. This particular verse concerns Abijam (also known as Abijah in 2 Chronicles 13), the son and successor of Rehoboam, who reigned over Judah for only three years. The primary focus of Kings is to recount the history of the kings of Judah and Israel through a Deuteronomistic theological lens, judging each reign based on their faithfulness to the Mosaic covenant and particularly to the Lord's commands regarding worship, against idolatry. This verse concisely summarizes Abijam's time and, typical of the Deuteronomistic Historian, points to official archives for fuller details while noting the continued animosity and warfare between the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, which originated from Jeroboam's rebellion and religious innovations. The conflict highlights the consequences of Jeroboam's sin and Judah's frequent deviation from God's commands.
1 Kings 15 7 Word analysis
- Now the rest of the acts of Abijam: This phrase (Hebrew: וְיֶתֶר דִּבְרֵי אֲבִיָּם - v'yeter divrei Abiyam) indicates a summary. "Yeter" signifies "the remainder" or "what is left," directing the reader away from the concise narrative of Kings for further details. "Divrei" refers to deeds, events, or historical accounts, reflecting the broad scope of a king's public life and governance.
- and all that he did: (Hebrew: וְכָל־אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה - v'chol-asher asah) This intensifier stresses the comprehensive nature of the mentioned records. It ensures that the entirety of his active reign, not just selected events, is alluded to as being documented elsewhere.
- are they not written?: (Hebrew: הֲלֹא־הֵם כְּתוּבִים - halo'-hem k'tuvim) This is a rhetorical question, serving as an affirmative statement: "Surely they are written!" It acts as a strong literary device, lending credibility to the narrative by referencing readily available public records. It signifies that the biblical author's account is a selective, theologically-driven history, not an exhaustive chronicle, and that fuller data existed for the original audience.
- in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?: (Hebrew: עַל־סֵפֶר דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים לְמַלְכֵי יְהוּדָה - al-sefer divrei hayyamim l'malchei Y'hudah) This specific phrase refers to royal annals or state records kept by the kingdom of Judah. It is distinct from the canonical Old Testament books of 1 and 2 Chronicles, though those biblical books may have drawn upon such archival sources. The "Book of the Chronicles" (דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים) literally means "records of the days" or "events of the times," indicating systematic historical compilation. Its consistent mention across Kings suggests a reliable historical basis for the biblical narrative for the original audience.
- And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam: (Hebrew: וּמִלְחָמָה הָיְתָה בֵּין־אֲבִיָּם וּבֵין יָרָבְעָם - u'milchamah hayetah bein-Abiyam u'vein Yarov'am) This concludes the summary of Abijam's reign with a salient detail. It highlights a critical aspect of the political landscape—the ongoing animosity and military conflict between the two divided kingdoms. This war is an important marker of the continued fractured relationship between Judah (under Abijam) and Israel (under Jeroboam).
- Words-Group Analysis:
- "Now the rest of the acts... are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?": This entire construction is a standardized Deuteronomistic formula used to summarize the reign of most kings of Judah (and Israel), directing the reader to official historical archives. It underscores that the biblical account in Kings is selective, emphasizing spiritual obedience and national consequences, rather than a full, blow-by-blow account of all political and military events. This pattern establishes the reliability and theological focus of the sacred narrative while acknowledging comprehensive underlying historical sources.
- "And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam": This clause immediately follows the archival reference, demonstrating that despite the general record of events, the continuous state of conflict was so significant that it warranted specific mention. It portrays the pervasive and ongoing national division as a key feature of the political and theological landscape, a direct consequence of Jeroboam's initial rebellion and setting up of alternative worship. It is a recurring tragic theme of the divided monarchy.
1 Kings 15 7 Bonus section
The mention of Abijam here aligns with the general portrayal of Judah's kings in Kings, often presenting their failures (like walking in the sins of their fathers) alongside the successes that demonstrate God's continued faithfulness to the Davidic covenant. While 1 Kings offers a brief overview, the canonical 2 Chronicles 13 provides a much more detailed and theologically favorable account of this specific war, presenting Abijah's (Abijam's) reliance on the Lord and the miraculous victory granted to Judah over Jeroboam's larger army. This contrast highlights the distinct theological and historical emphases of Kings (judgment and a prophetic lens) versus Chronicles (temple-centric, pro-Davidic dynasty). The persistent "war" between the northern and southern kingdoms throughout the books of Kings (first established between Rehoboam and Jeroboam, and continued here) illustrates the spiritual and political disintegration following the initial sin of idolatry, demonstrating a breakdown of brotherhood and national unity.
1 Kings 15 7 Commentary
1 Kings 15:7 concisely closes the summary of King Abijam of Judah's reign, using a standardized Deuteronomistic formula to reference more extensive historical accounts housed in the royal archives of the Kings of Judah. This literary device emphasizes that the biblical author selected specific details to serve his theological purpose, highlighting divine judgment and faithfulness. The immediate mention of "war between Abijam and Jeroboam" signifies the continuation of hostilities that marked the era of the divided kingdom. This conflict was not merely a political struggle but was also deeply rooted in the theological consequences of Jeroboam's idolatry, representing God's judgment and the persistent fractured relationship between Judah and Israel, which served as a backdrop for understanding the divine unfolding of events.