King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 13:2 Mean?

2 Chronicles 13:2 in the King James Version says “He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 13:2 · KJV

Context

1

Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah.

2

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.

3

And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour. Abijah set: Heb. Abijah bound together

4

And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;

Read 2 Chronicles 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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.

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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 · 17 words
שָׁל֣וֹשׁ1 of 17

“three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

שָׁנִ֗ים2 of 17

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

מָלַךְ֙3 of 17

“He reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם4 of 17

“in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְשֵׁ֣ם5 of 17

“name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אִמּ֔וֹ6 of 17

“His mother's”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

מִֽיכָיָ֥הוּ7 of 17

“also was Michaiah”

H4322

mikajah, the name of an israelite and an israelitess

בַת8 of 17

“the daughter”

H1323

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

אֽוּרִיאֵ֖ל9 of 17

“of Uriel”

H222

uriel, the name of two israelites

מִן10 of 17
H4480

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

גִּבְעָ֑ה11 of 17

“of Gibeah”

H1390

gibah; the name of three places in palestine

וּמִלְחָמָ֥ה12 of 17

“And there was war”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

הָֽיְתָ֛ה13 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בֵּ֥ין14 of 17
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

אֲבִיָּ֖ה15 of 17

“between Abijah”

H29

abijah, the name of several israelite men and two israelitesses

וּבֵ֥ין16 of 17
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

יָֽרָבְעָֽם׃17 of 17

“and Jeroboam”

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

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 13:2 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 13:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 11:201 Kings 15:6-7Judges 19:141 Samuel 10:26Joshua 18:281 Kings 15:2

Places in This Verse

Gibeah 2Settlement · Modern: south of Hebron · 31.45°N, 35.05°E2 verses across 2 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 13 →

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