1
In the eighteenth year of king Yarov`am began Aviyah to reign over Yehudah.
2
Three years reigned he in Yerushalayim: and his mother's name was Mikhayahu the daughter of Uri'el of Gevah. There was war between Aviyah and Yarov`am.
3
Aviyah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: and Yarov`am set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valor.
4
Aviyah stood up on Mount Tzemaryim, which is in the hill-country of Efrayim, and said, Hear me, Yarov`am and all Yisra'el:
5
Ought you not to know that the LORD, the God of Yisra'el, gave the kingdom over Yisra'el to David forever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?
6
Yet Yarov`am the son of Nevat, the servant of Shlomo the son of David, rose up, and rebelled against his lord.
7
There were gathered to him worthless men, base fellows, who strengthened themselves against Rechav`am the son of Shlomo, when Rechav`am was young and tender-hearted, and could not withstand them.
8
Now you think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and you are a great multitude, and there are with you the golden calves which Yarov`am made you for gods.
9
Haven't you driven out the Kohanim of the LORD, the sons of Aharon, and the Levites, and made you Kohanim after the manner of the peoples of [other] lands? so that whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams, the same may be a Kohen of [those who are] no gods.