Abijah, king of Judah, defended his kingdom against Jeroboam, king of Israel. Abijah argued that Judah worshipped the true God, Jehovah, with the proper priests and worship practices according to Mosaic law, while Israel had forsaken God and instituted false worship with golden calves and unauthorized priests. Abijah claimed God was with Judah and urged Israel not to fight against God, as they would not succeed. Judah defeated Israel in battle, killing 400,000 troops.

1. Abijah’s Loyalty
2 Chronicles 13.1-22; 1 Kings 15.1-4

2. “For whatever was written in
former days was written for our
instruction”
Romans 15.4; CB NT p. 285

3. y of the Kings
re approximate)
Nadab Elah Tibni Ahab
Jeroboam Baasha Zimri Omri
Kingdom of Israel
David Solomon
United Kingdom Divided Kingdom
Kingdom of Judah
ping Rehoboam Asa Jehoram
ncies Abijah Jehoshaphat

4. Divided Kingdom ARAM
CIA
Tyre
Dan
nology of theof Israel
Kingdom Kings
ENI
W
dates Kingdom of Judah
are approximate)
PHO
c. 925 B.C.
Nadab Elah Tibni
Jeroboam Baasha Zimri Omr
Dor
Megiddo Ramoth-gilead
Kingdom of Israel
Saul David SolomonS R A E L
I
Great Sea Samaria
United Kingdom
(Mediterranean) Divided Kingdom
Joppa Shiloh AMMON
Jordan
Bethel River
Gezer Kingdom of Judah
Ashdod Jerusalem
s
Bethlehem
e
Ashkelon
tin
J U D A H Salt
ilis
Gaza Hebron Sea
Ph
En-gedi
Scale of
Hormah MOAB
Rehoboam Asa 0 Jeh
Overlapping
c 1999 MANNA
co-regencies

6. “It is too much for
you to go up to
Jerusalem”
(NKJV, 1 Kings 12.28,
CB OT p. 545)

7. “Behold your gods”
(1 Kings 12.28,
CB OT p. 545)

8. Divided Kingdom ARAM
CIA
Tyre
Dan
nology of theof Israel
Kingdom Kings
ENI
W
dates Kingdom of Judah
are approximate)
PHO
c. 925 B.C.
Nadab Elah Tibni
Jeroboam Baasha Zimri Omr
Dor
Megiddo Ramoth-gilead
Kingdom of Israel
Saul David SolomonS R A E L
I
Great Sea Samaria
United Kingdom
(Mediterranean) Divided Kingdom
Joppa Shiloh AMMON
Jordan
Bethel River
Gezer Kingdom of Judah
Ashdod Jerusalem
s
“He set Gaza inHebronD A H and the other
one JBethel,
Bethlehem
e
Ashkelon
tin
U Salt
ilis
Sea
he put in Dan.”
Ph
En-gedi
Scale of
Rehoboam
Hormah Asa MOAB 0 Jeh
Overlapping
c 1999 MANNA
co-regencies
(1 Kings 12.29, CB OT p. 545)

9. “He also made
temples on high
places”
(1 Kings 12.31,
CB OT p. 545)

10. “Appointed priests
from all the people”
(1 Kings 12.31,
CB OT p. 545)

11. “devised in his own
heart”
(1 Kings 12.33,
CB OT p. 545)

13. s
Divided Kingdom ARAM
CIA
Tyre
Dan
nology of theof Israel Nadab
Kingdom Kings Elah Tibni Ahab
ENI
W
dates Kingdom of Judah
are approximate)
PHO
Jeroboam Baasha Zimri Omri
c. 925 B.C.
Nadab Elah Tibni
Kingdom of Israel
Jeroboam Baasha Zimri Omr
d Solomon
Dor
Megiddo Ramoth-gilead
ngdom Kingdom of Israel
Divided Kingdom
Saul David Solomon I S R A E L
Great Sea Samaria
Kingdom of
United Kingdom
(Mediterranean) JudahDivided Kingdom
Joppa Shiloh AMMON
Jordan
Bethel River
Gezer Kingdom of Judah
Ashdod Jerusalem
s
Bethlehem
e
Ashkelon
tin
Rehoboam U D A Asa
J H Salt Jehoram
ilis
Gaza Hebron Sea
Ph
En-gedi Jehoshaphat
Abijah Scale of
Hormah MOAB
Rehoboam Asa 0 Jeh
Overlapping 950 900 850 BC
c 1999 MANNA
co-regencies

14. s
Divided Kingdom ARAM
CIA
Tyre
Dan
nology of theof Israel Nadab
Kingdom Kings Elah Tibni Ahab
ENI
W
dates Kingdom of Judah
are approximate)
PHO
Jeroboam Baasha Zimri Omri
c. 925 B.C.
Nadab Elah Tibni
Kingdom of Israel
Jeroboam Baasha Zimri Omr
d Solomon
Dor
Megiddo Ramoth-gilead
ngdom Kingdom of Israel
Divided Kingdom
Saul David Solomon I S R A E L
Great Sea Samaria
Kingdom of
United Kingdom
(Mediterranean) 800,000
JudahDivided Kingdom
Joppa Shiloh AMMON
Jordan
Bethel River
Gezer Kingdom of Judah
Ashdod Jerusalem
400,000
s
Bethlehem
e
Ashkelon
tin
Rehoboam U D A Asa
J H Jehoram Salt
ilis
Gaza Hebron Sea
Ph
En-gedi Jehoshaphat
Abijah Scale of
Hormah MOAB
Rehoboam Asa 0 Jeh
Overlapping 950 900 850 BC
c 1999 MANNA
co-regencies

15. Rehoboam Asa Jehoram
Abijah Jehoshaphat
900 850 BC
Chronology of the Kings
(All dates are approximate)
Nad
Jeroboam
Ki
Saul David Solomon
United Kingdom Di
Ki

16. Rehoboam Asa Jehoram
Abijah Jehoshaphat
900
“Jehovah is our God,
850 BC
and we have not
Chronology of the Kings
forsaken Him.”
(All dates are approximate)
Nad
Jeroboam
Ki
Saul David Solomon
United Kingdom Di
Ki

17. Rehoboam Asa Jehoram
Abijah Jehoshaphat
900
“We 850 BC priests
have
Chronology of the Kings to
ministering
(All dates are approximate)
Jehovah who are Nad
sons of Aaron and Jeroboam
Levites for their Ki
Saul David Solomon
service.”
United Kingdom Di
Ki

18. Rehoboam Asa Jehoram
Abijah Jehoshaphat
900 “They offer to
850 BC
Jehovah every
Chronology of the Kings
morning and every
(All dates are approximate)
Nad
evening burnt Jeroboam
offerings and incense
Ki
of sweetDavid
Saul
spices.”Solomon
United Kingdom Di
Ki

19. Rehoboam Asa Jehoram
Abijah Jehoshaphat
900 “They... set out
850 BC
the showbread
Chronology of the Kings
on the table of
(All dates are approximate)
Nad
pure gold.” Jeroboam
Ki
Saul David Solomon
United Kingdom Di
Ki

20. Rehoboam Asa Jehoram
Abijah Jehoshaphat
900 “They... care for
850 BC
the golden
Chronology of the Kings
lampstand that
(All dates are approximate)
Nad
its lamps may Jeroboam
burn every
Ki
Saul
evening.” David Solomon
United Kingdom Di
Ki

21. Rehoboam Asa Jehoram
Abijah Jehoshaphat
900 “For we keep
850 BC
Chronology of the Kings of
the charge
Jehovah our
(All dates are approximate)
Nad
God, but you Jeroboam
have forsaken
Ki
Saul
Him.” David Solomon
United Kingdom Di
Ki

22. Rehoboam Asa Jehoram
Abijah Jehoshaphat
900 “God is with us
850 BC
Chronology of the Kings and
at our head,
His priests with
(All dates are approximate)
Nad
their battle Jeroboam
trumpets to
Ki
sound the call toSolomon
Saul David
battle against
United Kingdom Di
you.” Ki

23. Rehoboam Asa Jehoram
Abijah Jehoshaphat
900 “O sons of
850 BC
Chronology of thedo not
Israel, Kings
fight against
(All dates are approximate)
Nad
Jehovah, the God Jeroboam
of your fathers,
Ki
for you cannot Solomon
Saul David
succeed.”
United Kingdom Di
Ki

24. Rehoboam Asa Jehoram
Abijah Jehoshaphat
900 850 BC
Chronology of the Kings
(All dates are approximate)
Nad
Jeroboam
Ki
Saul David Solomon
United Kingdom Di
Ki

25. hoboam Asa Jehoram
Abijah Jehoshaphat
900 850 BC

26. Judah Israel
RIGHT GOD: FALSE GODS:
Jehovah Golden Calves
(Deuteronomy 5.7) (???)
RIGHT PRIESTS WRONG PRIESTS
Sons of Aaron & Levites Anyone with a young
(Numbers 3) bull and 7 rams (???)
RIGHT WORSHIP FALSE WORSHIP
Sacrifices & Incense Shrines in high places
(Exodus 29.38-39) (???)
Showbread on table Bethel and Dan
(Ex. 25.30; Lev. 24.5-9) (???)
Candlestick burning Feast on 15th day of 8th
Ex. 27.20-21; Lev. 24.2-3 month (???)
We keep the charge But you have
of Jehovah our God forsaken Him

27. Judah Israel
RIGHT GOD: FALSE GODS:
Jehovah Golden Calves
(Deuteronomy 5.7) (???)
RIGHT PRIESTS WRONG PRIESTS
Sons of Aaron & Levites Anyone with a young
(Numbers 3) bull and 7 rams (???)
RIGHT WORSHIP FALSE WORSHIP
Sacrifices & Incense Shrines in high places
(Exodus 29.38-39) (???)
Showbread on table Bethel and Dan
(Ex. 25.30; Lev. 24.5-9) (???)
Candlestick burning Feast on 15th day of 8th
Ex. 27.20-21; Lev. 24.2-3 month (???)
We keep the charge But you have
of Jehovah our God forsaken Him

28. Judah Israel
RIGHT GOD: FALSE GODS:
Jehovah Golden Calves
(Deuteronomy 5.7) (???)
RIGHT PRIESTS WRONG PRIESTS
Sons of Aaron & Levites Anyone with a young
(Numbers 3) bull or 7 rams (???)
RIGHT WORSHIP FALSE WORSHIP
Sacrifices & Incense Shrines in high places
(Exodus 29.38-39) (???)
Showbread on table Bethel and Dan
(Ex. 25.30; Lev. 24.5-9) (???)
Candlestick burning Feast on 15th day of 8th
Ex. 27.20-21; Lev. 24.2-3 month (???)
We keep the charge But you have
of Jehovah our God forsaken Him

29. Judah Israel
RIGHT GOD: FALSE GODS:
Jehovah Golden Calves
(Deuteronomy 5.7) (???)
RIGHT PRIESTS WRONG PRIESTS
Sons of Aaron & Levites Anyone with a young
(Numbers 3) bull or 7 rams (???)
RIGHT WORSHIP FALSE WORSHIP
Sacrifices & Incense Shrines in high places
(Exodus 29.38-39) (???)
Showbread on table Bethel and Dan
(Ex. 25.30; Lev. 24.5-9) (???)
Candlestick burning Feast on 15th day of 8th
Ex. 27.20-21; Lev. 24.2-3 month (???)
We keep the charge But you have
of Jehovah our God forsaken Him

30. Judah Israel
RIGHT GOD: FALSE GODS:
Jehovah Golden Calves
(Deuteronomy 5.7) (???)
RIGHT PRIESTS WRONG PRIESTS
Sons of Aaron & Levites Anyone with a young
(Numbers 3) bull or 7 rams (???)
RIGHT WORSHIP FALSE WORSHIP
Sacrifices & Incense Shrines in high places
(Exodus 29.38-39) (???)
Showbread on table Bethel and Dan
(Ex. 25.30; Lev. 24.5-9) (???)
Candlestick burning Feast on 15th day of 8th
Ex. 27.20-21; Lev. 24.2-3 month (???)
We keep the charge But you have
of Jehovah our God forsaken Him

31. Judah Israel
RIGHT GOD: FALSE GODS:
Jehovah Golden Calves
(Deuteronomy 5.7) (???)
RIGHT PRIESTS WRONG PRIESTS
Sons of Aaron & Levites Anyone with a young
(Numbers 3) bull and 7 rams (???)
RIGHT WORSHIP FALSE WORSHIP
Sacrifices & Incense Shrines in high places
(Exodus 29.38-39) (???)
Showbread on table Bethel and Dan
(Ex. 25.30; Lev. 24.5-9) (???)
Candlestick burning Feast on 15th day of 8th
Ex. 27.20-21; Lev. 24.2-3 month (???)
We keep the charge But you have
of Jehovah our God forsaken Him

32. Judah Israel
RIGHT GOD: FALSE GODS:
Jehovah Golden Calves
(Deuteronomy 5.7) (???)
RIGHT PRIESTS WRONG PRIESTS
Sons of Aaron & Levites Anyone with a young
(Numbers 3) bull and 7 rams (???)
RIGHT WORSHIP FALSE WORSHIP
Sacrifices & Incense Shrines in high places
(Exodus 29.38-39) (???)
Showbread on table Bethel and Dan
(Ex. 25.30; Lev. 24.5-9) (???)
Candlestick burning Feast on 15th day of 8th
Ex. 27.20-21; Lev. 24.2-3 month (???)
We keep the charge But you have
of Jehovah our God forsaken Him

33. “And he walked in all
Rehoboam Asa
the sins that his
father did before Abijah Jehos
him...”
950 900

34. “...and his heart was
Rehoboam Asa
not wholly true to
Jehovah his God, as Abijah Jehos
the heart of David his
950 father.” 900

35. mate)
m Asa Jehoram Na
Abijah “For we keep Jeroboam
Jehoshaphat
the charge of
900 Jehovah our 850 BC
God, but you Ki
David Solomon
have forsaken
Him.”
ed Kingdom D

36. Sin
Rehoboam Asa
Idolatry Abijah Jehos
950
Heart not wholly 900
true to Jehovah

37. “Examine yourselves, to see
whether you are in the faith. Test
yourselves. Or do you not realize
this about yourselves, that Jesus
Christ is in you?—unless indeed you
fail to meet the test!”
2 Corinthians 13.5; CB NT p. 326

38. Knew Truth
Rehoboam Asa Je
Taught Truth
Abijah Jehoshapha
900

39. Knew Truth Sin
Rehoboam Asa Je
Taught Truth Idolatry
Abijah Jehoshapha
Heart not
900
wholly true
to Jehovah

40. “so practice and observe whatever
they tell you— but not what they do.
For they preach, but do not practice.”
Matthew 23.3; CB NT p. 45

41. “But I discipline my body and keep it
under control, lest after preaching to
others I myself should be disqualified.”
1 Corinthians 9.27; CB NT p. 300

42. Kingdom of Judah
Rehoboam Asa Je
Abijah Jehoshapha
900

43. Kingdom of Judah
Rehoboam Asa Je
Abijah Jehoshapha
900

44. Will today be the
day you return to
fellowship with
God?

45. Lesson slideshows (with notes)
and audio can be found at:
www.churchofchristmiranda.com

46. Photo Credits: (All photos from istockphoto.com are copyright protected. Please do not use without permission.)
Jeroboam and Idol: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/
commons/5/54/Jeroboam%27s_Idolatry_%28Bible_card%29.jpg
Sword and Bible: iStock_000006458439
Maps and Charts by Manna Bible Maps
Photo of Ephriam hills: Manna Bible Maps
Bible: iStock_000001271272

47. Compiled and Presented by:
Fellowship with Man Dave Stewart
12 September, 2010
#03 Las Cruces, NM
www.churchofchristmiranda.com
Abijah’s Loyalty
(2 Chronicles 13; 1 Kings 15.1-4)
Synopsis: Abijah confronts Jerobaam’s rebellion against God, but fails to
make sure his own life is right before God. He reminds us that we must be
completely loyal to God, not just in doctrine or issues but also in our daily
lives.
“Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright
© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
“Let all that you do be done with love.”