2 Chronicles 13 20

2 Chronicles 13:20 kjv

Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the LORD struck him, and he died.

2 Chronicles 13:20 nkjv

So Jeroboam did not recover strength again in the days of Abijah; and the LORD struck him, and he died.

2 Chronicles 13:20 niv

Jeroboam did not regain power during the time of Abijah. And the LORD struck him down and he died.

2 Chronicles 13:20 esv

Jeroboam did not recover his power in the days of Abijah. And the LORD struck him down, and he died.

2 Chronicles 13:20 nlt

So Jeroboam of Israel never regained his power during Abijah's lifetime, and finally the LORD struck him down and he died.

2 Chronicles 13 verses

2 Chronicles 13 20 Meaning

2 Chronicles 13:20 states the complete and irreversible defeat of King Jeroboam by the hand of God during the reign of King Abijah of Judah. It signifies that Jeroboam never recovered his strength or dominance following the significant military loss against Judah, which God orchestrated. Furthermore, it explicitly declares that the Lord directly struck Jeroboam, resulting in his death. This verse powerfully portrays divine judgment upon Jeroboam for his sustained rebellion against God and his establishment of idolatry in Israel.

2 Chronicles 13 20 Context

This verse immediately follows a vivid description of the battle between King Abijah of Judah and King Jeroboam of Israel, initiated by Jeroboam. Despite Jeroboam's superior numbers, Abijah rebuked him and Israel for forsaking the Lord and His legitimate worship at Jerusalem for golden calves and unlawful priests. Abijah invoked the eternal covenant between God and David. The battle itself saw Judah, crying out to the Lord and trusting in Him, miraculously prevail, with God directly striking Jeroboam's army. This military defeat for Israel resulted in the loss of 500,000 men and significant territory. Verse 20 concludes this narrative thread, affirming that Jeroboam's weakness and eventual death were direct consequences of this divinely ordained judgment and his continued defiance of the Lord. Historically, it emphasizes the chronicler's theme of divine retribution for disobedience, particularly idolatry, and divine blessing for those who faithfully trust in God's covenant, even amidst seemingly overwhelming odds. It implicitly warns against the false worship established by Jeroboam.

2 Chronicles 13 20 Word analysis

• So: Implies a direct consequence or result of the preceding events, particularly the decisive defeat of Jeroboam's army by God's hand (2 Chr 13:15-17). It connects the military disaster to Jeroboam's lasting decline.
• Jeroboam: (Hebrew: יָרָבְעָם, Yarov‘am) The first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He established the idolatrous golden calf cult in Dan and Bethel (1 Kgs 12:28-30), which is condemned throughout the Bible. His name carries connotations of contention or "the people contend" against God's will.
• did not recover strength: (Hebrew: לֹא עָצַר כֹּחַ, lo atsar koakh) Literally, "did not retain power" or "did not hold back strength." This indicates a complete and irreparable loss of military, political, and even personal vitality. He never regained his dominance or momentum after the battle, signifying a permanent weakening of his reign and his house.
• again: Reinforces the finality; this was a permanent decline from which he could not recover.
• in the days of Abijah: Specifies the period of Jeroboam's weakness, confirming that the impact of the battle was immediate and lasted for the duration of Abijah's short reign (three years). This highlights the brevity of the period before God's ultimate judgment fell.
• and the Lord struck him: (Hebrew: וַיִּגְּפֵהוּ יְהוָה, vayigphehu Yahweh) "Struck" comes from the root נָגַף (nagaph), which consistently describes a direct divine blow, often a plague or physical affliction, leading to injury or death. This is not a battle wound or a natural death, but a specific, punitive act of God. It directly links his death to divine judgment for his idolatry and persistent rebellion. This language echoes similar divine judgments elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Nabal, Uzziah, Herod).
• and he died: The ultimate and irreversible consequence of God's striking him. This phrase offers no ambiguity, marking the finality of God's judgment upon Jeroboam, effectively closing his story and the immediate consequences of his sin.

Words-group analysis

• "So Jeroboam did not recover strength again in the days of Abijah": This phrase encapsulates the long-term impact of the divine intervention in the preceding battle. Jeroboam's reign became perpetually weakened and effectively diminished, indicating that his previous power and prestige were gone. This demonstrates that God's judgment extends beyond the immediate battlefield, affecting a ruler's entire political standing and personal vitality.
• "and the Lord struck him, and he died": This concise declaration details the ultimate and final consequence of God's judgment on Jeroboam. The use of "the Lord struck him" signifies a direct, deliberate act of divine wrath, not merely a natural demise. It emphasizes God's active involvement in the affairs of kings and kingdoms, punishing unrighteousness and validating the prophetic word concerning Jeroboam's house (1 Kgs 14).

2 Chronicles 13 20 Bonus section

The chronicler's account of Jeroboam's death in 2 Chronicles 13:20 is notably more theologically charged than the parallel in 1 Kings 14:20, which simply states, "and Jeroboam slept with his fathers." The Chronicler explicitly attributes his death to the Lord's direct strike ("vayigphehu Yahweh"). This theological amplification underscores the direct causality between Jeroboam's sin of establishing alternative worship centers and his eventual divine judgment. It emphasizes the Chronicler's persistent theme of immediate divine retribution and blessing, serving as an encouragement for faithfulness and a warning against apostasy, particularly for those returning from exile contemplating their own allegiance to God's covenant. It reinforces the authority and sovereignty of YHWH over even powerful earthly rulers and their fabricated religious systems. This perspective elevates the historical account to a clear lesson in divine jurisprudence.

2 Chronicles 13 20 Commentary

2 Chronicles 13:20 serves as a pivotal summary, bringing a theological conclusion to the chronicler's account of Jeroboam's defeat. It is not just a historical report but a powerful statement of divine sovereignty and justice. Following a significant military reversal where God enabled Judah to defeat a much larger Israelite army, this verse confirms the complete and lasting decline of Jeroboam's power. His inability to "recover strength" illustrates that God's judgment cripples not just an army but the very essence of a ruler's authority and destiny. The explicit declaration that "the Lord struck him, and he died" elevates Jeroboam's death from a mere natural event to a direct act of God's righteous indignation. This reinforces the Chronicler's central message: faithfulness to the Lord, to the Davidic covenant, and to the proper worship in Jerusalem brings blessing and divine intervention, while rebellion and idolatry incur severe judgment. Jeroboam's end serves as a stark warning to all who deviate from the true worship of God. His ultimate demise, at the very hand of the Lord he defied, vindicated Abijah's appeal to the God of Israel and highlighted the emptiness of trusting in one's own strength or in false gods.