Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 13:1
In the eighteenth year of Jeroboam’s reign, Abijah became king of Judah,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler records a regnal introduction for Judah’s monarchy at the moment Abijah succeeds his father Rehoboam. The narrative addresses the post-exilic community by anchoring Judah’s leadership timeline to the concurrent reign of Israel’s king Jeroboam.
The words — The phrase בִּשְׁנַת (bi/sh.Nat) and וַיִּמְלֹךְ (va/i.yim.Lokh) literally render “in the year” and “and he became king.” These terms frame the succession as a chronological marker rather than a narrative event.
The thread — This regnal formula parallels 1 Kings 15:1 and directly follows the accession notice in 2 Chronicles 12:16. The text consistently uses Jeroboam’s reign as the chronological anchor for Judah’s kings.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to track political timelines and recognize how Judah’s monarchy is measured against Israel’s rival throne. It demands attention to historical succession without offering theological commentary.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 12:16 And Rehoboam rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And his son Abijah reigned in his place.
- 1 Kings 15:1 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijam became king of Judah,