Bible Timeline ExplorerBible Timeline Explorer

The divided kingdom

Abijah defeats Jeroboam

957 BCUssher date

2 Chronicles 13

Outnumbered two to one, King Abijah of Judah appealed to Israel not to fight against Yahweh, and Judah won when they cried out to God.

Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with the trumpets of alarm to sound an alarm against you. Children of Israel, don’t fight against Yahweh, the God of your fathers; for you will not prosper.

2 Chronicles 13:12 (World English Bible)

Standing on Mount Zemaraim, Abijah reminded Israel that God had given the kingdom to David's line forever and that Judah still kept the true priesthood. Jeroboam used the speech to spring an ambush, but Judah cried out, the priests blew the trumpets, and God routed Israel.

Places

BethelEphronJeshanahMount Zemaraim

Dating notes

Ussher, 957 BC. Chronicles reports 500,000 of Israel's men killed; some scholars read the Hebrew word for “thousand” here as a military unit, which would make the numbers far smaller.

Open on the timelineRead 2 Chronicles 13