2 Chronicles 13 2

2 Chronicles 13:2 kjv

He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

2 Chronicles 13:2 nkjv

He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

2 Chronicles 13:2 niv

and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother's name was Maakah, a daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

2 Chronicles 13:2 esv

He reigned for three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. Now there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

2 Chronicles 13:2 nlt

He reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother was Maacah, the daughter of Uriel from Gibeah. Then war broke out between Abijah and Jeroboam.

2 Chronicles 13 verses

2 Chronicles 13 2 Meaning

2 Chronicles 13:2 introduces Abijah (referred to as "He" from the preceding verse) as king of Judah, specifying that he reigned for three years in Jerusalem. It further provides critical genealogical information about his mother, stating her name was Micaiah, who was the daughter of Uriel from Gibeah. This verse establishes a factual record of the king's brief tenure and familial background, providing context for his subsequent actions and the broader narrative of the divided kingdom.

2 Chronicles 13 2 Context

Chapter 13 of 2 Chronicles pivots the narrative from the reign of Rehoboam to that of his son, Abijah, during a tumultuous period of division between the Northern Kingdom of Israel (under Jeroboam) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (under the Davidic monarchy). The preceding chapter details Rehoboam's reign, marked by initial apostasy leading to a devastating invasion by Shishak of Egypt, and a subsequent, though imperfect, repentance.

Abijah steps onto the stage as the third king of Judah since the kingdom split. The Chronicler's primary focus in his account is on the Kingdom of Judah, the Davidic dynasty, the Temple in Jerusalem, and proper worship of the Lord. He often emphasizes divine retribution for sin and divine favor for obedience. The short biographical details given in 2 Chronicles 13:2 set the immediate stage for the decisive conflict that defines Abijah's reign: the major war with Jeroboam outlined in the subsequent verses (13:3-19), which the Chronicler presents as a theological showdown rather than merely a military conflict. This brief introduction also implicitly establishes Abijah's legitimacy as a direct descendant within the chosen Davidic line, ruling from the divinely appointed city of Jerusalem.

Historically, this period represents the ongoing tension and conflict that plagued the divided kingdoms for centuries. The specific details of the queen mother's lineage and origin (Gibeah) provide granular information important for royal identification and potentially for political alliances or influences of the time.

2 Chronicles 13 2 Word analysis

• He reigned (מָלַךְ, malakh): A simple yet powerful Hebrew verb meaning "to reign" or "to be king." The use of "He" implies continuation from the preceding verse, clearly identifying the subject as Abijah. It signifies the commencement of his official and divinely appointed rule.

• three years (שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים, shalosh shanim): This numerical detail indicates a relatively short reign for a Judahite king. In biblical narratives, the length of a king's reign can implicitly reflect aspects of their rule – whether it was turbulent, blessed, or cut short by divine judgment or internal strife. In Abijah's case, while short, it encompasses a highly significant military confrontation.

• in Jerusalem (בִּירוּשָׁלַם, bîrûšālayim): "Jerusalem" serves as more than just a geographical location; it is the divinely chosen capital of Judah, the city where the Temple stood, and the seat of the Davidic dynasty. This detail reinforces Abijah's legitimacy as the rightful king in the covenant line, contrasting implicitly with the Northern Kingdom's changing capitals and alternative worship sites.

• His mother's name (שֵׁם אִמּוֹ, shem immô): The consistent mention of the king's mother's name in Chronicles (and Kings) highlights the important status and influence of the Queen Mother in the Judahite court. She often held a significant role, perhaps even co-regency or advisory. This is not merely a genealogical fact but points to a real political and social function within the monarchy.

• Micaiah (מִיכָיָהוּ, Mîḵāyāhû): This name, meaning "Who is like Yah?" or "Who is like the LORD?", carries theological significance, affirming the uniqueness and supremacy of God. This name choice in Chronicles is noteworthy as it differs from 1 Kings 15:2, which states her name was Maacah (מַעֲכָה, Maʻakhah, meaning "oppression" or "crushing"). Scholars reconcile this difference in various ways: as a simple variant or longer form of the same name (like Netaniah for Nethan), as different ways of transmitting the name, or that the Chronicler intentionally used "Micaiah" to emphasize a pious aspect or connection, aligning with his theological agenda of portraying righteous leadership and divine approval where possible. Some suggest Micaiah was a more formal or religious name, while Maacah was more common.

• the daughter of (בַּת, bat): Establishes direct lineage and emphasizes the familial connection.

• Uriel (אוּרִיאֵל, Ûrîʼēl): A name meaning "God is my light" or "Flame of God," another name with a strong theological implication, similar to Micaiah. It emphasizes a lineage connected to God. The Chronicler's specificity might be designed to elevate the mother's pedigree, thus strengthening Abijah's own legitimacy and providing further divine association to the Davidic line through his matriarchal side.

• of Gibeah (מִגִּבְעָה, mi-Gibʻah): Gibeah ("hill") was a city in the territory of Benjamin, notable as the hometown of King Saul (1 Sam 10:26) and the site of a heinous crime leading to inter-tribal warfare (Judg 19-21). This geographic link reveals an inter-tribal connection for the royal family of Judah, perhaps signifying a historical reconciliation or enduring ties between Judah and Benjamin, or highlighting the broader scope of Judah’s historical context encompassing regions significant in Israelite history.

• Phrase Analysis:

  • "He reigned three years in Jerusalem.": This concise statement quickly sets the temporal and geographical parameters of Abijah's rule, emphasizing its relatively short duration but also its legitimacy due to the capital. It points to a concentrated, pivotal period.
  • "His mother's name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah.": This full genealogical tag underscores the importance of the matriarch in royal succession and standing. The Chronicler provides this detail to firmly anchor Abijah's background and subtly underscore connections within the broader Israelite tapestry, despite the political division. The precise names and origin reinforce a carefully traced lineage, perhaps for theological reasons or historical clarity as perceived by the Chronicler.

2 Chronicles 13 2 Bonus section

The discrepancy between 2 Chronicles 13:2 (Micaiah daughter of Uriel) and 1 Kings 15:2 (Maacah daughter of Abishalom) regarding Abijah's mother is one of the most noted differences between the two biblical accounts. While "Micaiah" could be a variant or expanded form of "Maacah" (e.g., "Mi-c-iah" being more honorific than just "Maacah"), the difference in the father's name (Uriel vs. Abishalom) points to potential complexities. Some scholars propose "Abishalom" (meaning "father of peace") as a possible variant name for Absalom, or even as Absalom's descendant. If Abijah's mother (Maacah/Micaiah) was indeed Absalom's daughter or granddaughter (as inferred from 2 Ch. 11:20 saying Maacah was "daughter of Absalom"), it would connect the royal lineage to a rebellious figure from David's past. The Chronicler's specific reference to "Uriel of Gibeah" might serve to recontextualize her identity, emphasizing a more "pious" sounding lineage (via Uriel, "God is my light") rather than dwelling on any potential problematic association with Absalom. This showcases the Chronicler's typical methodology of providing what he considered essential or reinterpreted details for his specific theological and historical aims. The significance of queen mothers (Gevira) cannot be overstated in ancient Near Eastern monarchies; their identity, whether they were of noble birth or from a foreign land, often held implications for political stability, alliances, and even the king's perceived legitimacy.

2 Chronicles 13 2 Commentary

2 Chronicles 13:2 serves as a pivotal, yet seemingly straightforward, introduction to Abijah's reign, compacting critical data into a single sentence. His three-year tenure, though brief, sets the stage for a dramatic conflict, indicating a reign defined not by length but by its crucial events. The declaration of Jerusalem as his capital immediately asserts his legitimate connection to the Davidic covenant and the true center of worship.

The detailed lineage of his mother, Micaiah daughter of Uriel of Gibeah, is more than just factual reporting; it is laden with significant implications unique to the Chronicler's purpose. The names "Micaiah" and "Uriel," both meaning "who is like God" and "God is my light" respectively, carry strong theological weight, aligning the king's maternal lineage with piety and divine favor. This contrasts with the record in 1 Kings 15:2 where her name is Maacah, potentially revealing the Chronicler's choice to present a name more attuned to his theological narrative that often emphasizes righteous elements. The explicit mention of Gibeah links Abijah's family not only to the Benjamite tribe but to a historically turbulent location, perhaps indicating enduring inter-tribal ties or providing a more precise familial identity.

This seemingly simple verse, therefore, encapsulates the Chronicler's distinct agenda: establishing the Davidic line's legitimacy, highlighting God's role through pious associations, and framing the subsequent historical events within a divine-human covenant framework. It preps the reader for a reign that, though short, will be defined by a significant clash between the legitimate kingdom of Judah and the rebellious Northern Kingdom.