The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
1 In the eighteenth year of the rule of Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijah took over the throne of Judah.
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In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijah became king of Judah,
2 He ruled in Jerusalem three years. His mother was Maacah daughter of Absalom.
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and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Maakah daughter of Abishalom.
3 He continued to sin just like his father before him. He was not truehearted to God as his grandfather David had been.
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He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his forefather had been.
4 But despite that, out of respect for David, his God graciously gave him a lamp, a son to follow him and keep Jerusalem secure.
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Nevertheless, for David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and by making Jerusalem strong.
5 For David had lived an exemplary life before God all his days, not going off on his own in willful defiance of God's clear directions (except for that time with Uriah the Hittite).
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For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not failed to keep any of the LORD’s commands all the days of his life—except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.
6 But war continued between Abijah and Jeroboam the whole time.
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There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam throughout Abijah’s lifetime.
7 The rest of Abijah's life, everything he did, is written in The Chronicles of the Kings of Judah. But the war with Jeroboam was the dominant theme.
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As for the other events of Abijah’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
8 Abijah died and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. His son Asa was king after him.
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And Abijah rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. And Asa his son succeeded him as king.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.