3
Abijahbegan the battle with an army of valiantwarriors, 400,000**chosenmen, while Jeroboamdrew up in battleformationagainst him with 800,000**chosenmen who were valiantwarriors.
7
and worthlessmengatheredabout him, scoundrels*, who provedtoostrong for Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, when he was young and timid* and could not hold his ownagainst them.
8
"So now you intend to resist the kingdom of the LORDthrough the sons of David, being a greatmultitude and having with you the goldencalveswhichJeroboammade for gods for you.
9
"Have you not driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron and the Levites, and made for yourselves priests like the peoples of other lands? Whoevercomes to consecrate*himself with a youngbull and sevenrams, even he may become a priest of what are nogods.
10
"But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken Him; and the sons of Aaron are ministering to the LORD as priests, and the Levites attend to their work.
11
"Everymorning and evening they burn to the LORDburntofferings and fragrantincense, and the showbread* is set on the cleantable, and the goldenlampstand with its lamps is ready to lighteveryevening; for we keep the charge of the LORD our God, but you have forsaken Him.
12
"Now behold, God is with us at our head and His priests with the signaltrumpets to sound the alarmagainst you. O sons of Israel, do not fightagainst the LORDGod of your fathers, for you will not succeed."
15
Then the men of Judahraised a war cry, and when the men of Judahraised the war cry, then it was that GodroutedJeroboam and allIsraelbeforeAbijah and Judah.