“Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah.”
He meaneth Judah and Benjamin.
“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.”
Or, Maachah, 1 Kings 15:2 . Called also Abishalom, for Abishalom was her grandfather, 1 Kings 15:2 .
“And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;”
Which was one of the tops of mount Ephraim.
“Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?”
And therefore whosoever doth usurp it or take it from that stock, transgresseth the ordinance of the Lord. Thus like an hypocrite he allegeth the word of God for his advantage. That is, perpetual because that thing which is salted, is preserved from corruption: he meaneth also that it was made solemnly, and confirmed by offering of sacrifices, where as they used salt according as was ordained, Num. 18:19 .
“Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord.”
Cross references: : 1 Kings 11:26
“And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted , and could not withstand them.”
Lev. 26:36 This word in the Chaldean tongue is Raca, which our Savior useth, Matt. 5:22 . Hebrew, children of Belial. Meaning, in heart and courage. Or, faint hearted.
“Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods. to consecrate: Heb. to fill his hand”
1 Kings 12:31 ; 2 Chron. 11:14 He showeth the nature of idolaters which take no trial of the vocation, life and doctrine of their ministers, but think the most vilest and greatest beasts sufficient to serve their turn. Hebrew, fill his hand.
“And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.”
As it was appointed in the Law, Exod. 29:39 .
“And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.”
Because their cause was good and approved by the Lord, they doubted not of the success and victory.
“But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.”
Contemning the good counsel which came of the Spirit of God, he thought to have overcome by deceit.
“Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers.”
He showeth that the stay of all kingdoms, and assurance of victories depend upon our trust and confidence in the Lord.