Abijah’s Reign over Judah

15:1 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijah1 became king over Judah. 15:2 He ruled for three years in Jerusalem.2 His mother was Maacah, the daughter of Abishalom.3 15:3 He followed all the sinful practices of his father before him. He was not wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord his God, as his ancestor David had been.4 15:4 Nevertheless for David’s sake the Lord his God maintained his dynasty5 in Jerusalem by giving him a son6 to succeed him7 and by protecting Jerusalem.8 15:5 He did this9 because David had done what he approved10 and had not disregarded any of his commandments11 his entire lifetime, except for the incident involving Uriah the Hittite. 15:6 Rehoboam12 and Jeroboam were continually at war with each other throughout Abijah’s13 lifetime. 15:7 The rest of the events of Abijah’s reign, including all his accomplishments, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Judah.14 Abijah and Jeroboam had been at war with each other. 15:8 Abijah passed away15 and was buried16 in the city of David. His son Asa replaced him as king.