King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 13:19 Mean?

2 Chronicles 13:19 in the King James Version says “And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Bethel with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Bethel with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephrain with the towns thereof.”

2 Chronicles 13:19 · KJV

Context

17

And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.

18

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.

19

And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Bethel with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephrain with the towns thereof.

20

Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the LORD struck him, and he died.

21

But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.

Read 2 Chronicles 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Beth-el with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephrain with the towns thereof.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Covenant faithfulness brings victory despite odds. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיִּרְדֹּ֣ף1 of 19

“pursued”

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

אֲבִיָּה֮2 of 19

“And Abijah”

H29

abijah, the name of several israelite men and two israelitesses

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י3 of 19

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

יָֽרָבְעָם֒4 of 19

“Jeroboam”

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

וַיִּלְכֹּ֤ד5 of 19

“and took”

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙6 of 19
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

עָרִ֔ים7 of 19

“cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

אֶת8 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בֵּֽית9 of 19
H0
אֵל֙10 of 19

“from him Bethel”

H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

וְאֶת11 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וּבְנֹתֶֽיהָ׃12 of 19

“with the towns”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְאֶת13 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְשָׁנָ֖ה14 of 19

“thereof and Jeshanah”

H3466

jeshanah, a place in palestine

וְאֶת15 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וּבְנֹתֶֽיהָ׃16 of 19

“with the towns”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְאֶת17 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֶפְרַ֖וִן18 of 19

“thereof and Ephrain”

H6085

ephron, the name of a canaanite and of two places in palestine

וּבְנֹתֶֽיהָ׃19 of 19

“with the towns”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 13:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 13:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 15:8Joshua 15:9John 11:54Joshua 10:391 Samuel 31:7Joshua 11:12

Places in This Verse

Bethel 1Settlement · Modern: Beitin · 31.92°N, 35.24°E69 verses across 12 books
Ephron 2Settlement · Modern: Taybeh · 31.95°N, 35.30°E1 verse across 1 book
JeshanahSettlement · Modern: Burj el Isaneh · 32.00°N, 35.26°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in 2 Chronicles 13 →

Test Your Knowledge

2 Chronicles 13 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Chronicles Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Chronicles 13 with CommentaryAll 2 Chronicles ChaptersComplete 2 Chronicles QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes