View 2nd Chronicles 13 in the note window.
Abijah sets the battle in array against Jeroboam, ver. 1 - 3.
He declares the justice of his cause, ver. 4 - 12.
Trusts in God and gains the victory, ver. 13 - 20.
His wives and children, ver. 21. 22.
5: Of salt - By a perpetual covenant.
8: Golden calves - There is that among you which may damp your
confidence: you worship those images which God abhors.
9: Consecrate - To make himself a priest.
10: The Lord - Heb. Jehovah, the only true God. We - Maintain
his worship which you have rejected.
11: Pure table - Made of pure gold, (Ex 25:23,24), he saith
table and candlestick, though there were ten of each, because
ordinarily there was but one of each used at a time for those uses.
We keep - Perhaps he flattered himself, that his keeping up the external
worship of God would make satisfaction for the errors of his life.
12: Trumpets - Upon the sounding whereof God hath solemnly promised
to assist his people, (Nu 10:9).
The Lord - You have not only us for your enemies, but God, even the God
whom your fathers served. It is folly to fight against the God of
almighty power: but it is treachery and base ingratitude, to fight
against your father's God.
13: Jeroboam - While Abijah was discoursing, Jeroboam takes
the advantage of it to lay an ambush. It does not appear that he made
any answer to all that Abijah said. The longest sword he thinks will
determine the matter, not the better cause.
15: Gave a shout - It is unspeakable comfort, that no stratagem or
ambush can cut off our communication with heaven. To the cry of prayer
they added the shout of faith, and so became more than conquerors.
20: The Lord struck him - He escaped the sword of Abijah: but God
struck him: there is no escaping his sword.
21: Married - Not after this victory, for he died presently after it,
but in the whole time of his life.
