1
In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam (Nebat's son), Abijam began to rule Judah.
2
He ruled for three years in Jerusalem. His mother was named Maacah, daughter of Abishalom.
3
He followed the sinful example his father had set and wasn't committed to the LORD his God as his ancestor David had been.
4
But for David's sake the LORD his God made Abijam a lamp in Jerusalem. He appointed David's descendant to rule after him and protected Jerusalem.
5
The LORD did this because David did what the LORD considered right: David never failed to do anything the LORD commanded him to do his entire life (except in the matter concerning Uriah the Hittite).
6
There was war between Abijam and Rehoboam throughout their lives.
In this chapter we have a short history of the reign of Abijam, 1Ki 15:1-8 and of Asa, 1Ki 14:9-24, both kings of Judah; and of the reigns of Nadab the son of Jeroboam, and of Baasha, who destroyed his family, both kings of Israel, 1Ki 15:25-34.