1. In the eighteenth year of the reign of King Jeroboam, Abijah became king over Judah.
2. He ruled for three years in Jerusalem. His mother was Michaiah, the daughter of Uriel from Gibeah.There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
3. Abijah launched the attack with 400,000 well-trained warriors, while Jeroboam deployed against him 800,000 well-trained warriors.
4. Abijah ascended Mount Zemaraim, in the Ephraimite hill country, and said: “Listen to me, Jeroboam and all Israel!
5. Don’t you realize that the Lord God of Israel has given David and his dynasty lasting dominion over Israel by a formal agreement?
6. Jeroboam son of Nebat, a servant of Solomon son of David, rose up and rebelled against his master.
7. Lawless good-for-nothing men gathered around him and conspired against Rehoboam son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was an inexperienced young man and could not resist them.
8. Now you are declaring that you will resist the Lord’s rule through the Davidic dynasty. You have a huge army, and bring with you the gold calves that Jeroboam made for you as gods.