2 Chronicles 13:3

KJV

And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, [even] four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, [being] mighty men of valour.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Abijah {H29} set {H631} the battle {H4421} in array {H631} with an army {H2428} of valiant men {H1368} of war {H4421}, even four {H702} hundred {H3967} thousand {H505} chosen {H977} men {H376}: Jeroboam {H3379} also set the battle {H4421} in array {H6186} against him with eight {H8083} hundred {H3967} thousand {H505} chosen {H977} men {H376}, being mighty men {H1368} of valour {H2428}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Aviyah joined the battle with an army of valiant soldiers, 400,000 select troops; while Yarov'am took the field against him with 800,000 select troops who were valiant, strong men.

Berean Standard Bible

Abijah went into battle with an army of 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in formation against him with 800,000 chosen and mighty men of valor.

American Standard Version

And Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valor.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 13:3 meticulously details the formidable military preparations for a pivotal confrontation between the newly divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel. This verse strategically sets the stage for a dramatic and theologically significant battle, immediately highlighting the stark and overwhelming numerical disparity in military strength between King Abijah's forces from Judah and King Jeroboam's larger army from Israel, thereby establishing the human odds against Judah and foreshadowing the divine intervention that will ultimately determine the outcome.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the very outset of the narrative describing the war between Abijah of Judah and Jeroboam of Israel, serving as the immediate prelude to the conflict detailed in [2 Chronicles 13:4-19](/2_chronicles/13-4 "2 Chronicles 13:4-19 - Abijah's Speech and Judah's Victory"). It follows the account of Abijah's ascension to the throne (2 Chronicles 13:1-2) and precedes his powerful theological speech to Jeroboam's army, which underscores Judah's reliance on the Lord. The Chronicler frequently emphasizes the numerical strength or weakness of armies to highlight God's hand in battle, a theme that resonates throughout the book, particularly in accounts like that of King Asa's victory against the Cushites in [2 Chronicles 14:9-15](/2_chronicles/14-9 "2 Chronicles 14:9-15 - Asa's Victory by Faith").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The conflict described in 2 Chronicles 13:3 occurs during the early years of the divided monarchy, a period marked by intense political and religious animosity between the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Following the schism under Rehoboam, Solomon's son, and Jeroboam's establishment of rival worship centers at Dan and Bethel, the relationship between the two Israelite entities was fraught with tension. This battle represents a significant military engagement in this ongoing struggle for dominance and legitimacy. The mention of vast armies, while potentially employing ancient Near Eastern rhetorical hyperbole to emphasize scale, reflects the reality of large-scale conscription and military organization in the region, where a king's power was often measured by his military might.
* **Key Themes:** The verse immediately introduces the theme of **Numerical Disparity**, presenting Judah as significantly outmatched by Israel. This imbalance is not merely a statement of fact but serves as a crucial setup for the overarching theme of **Divine Intervention and Reliance on God**. The Chronicler consistently portrays Judah's kings as victorious when they trust in the Lord, even against overwhelming odds, contrasting this with the fate of those who rely on human strength or idolatry. This battle, therefore, becomes a prime example of God demonstrating His sovereignty over human might. Furthermore, the very existence of such a massive, fratricidal conflict highlights the tragic **Consequences of Division and Disobedience**, stemming from the initial rebellion against the Davidic line and Jeroboam's religious innovations, which are explicitly condemned in [1 Kings 12:26-33](/1_kings/12-26 "1 Kings 12:26-33 - Jeroboam's Idolatry").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"Set the battle in array" (Hebrew, עָרַךְ מִלְחָמָה, _'arakh milchamah'_):** This phrase signifies the meticulous and strategic preparation for warfare. It implies organizing troops, forming battle lines, and positioning forces for maximum effectiveness. It's not merely gathering men but arranging them in a disciplined, military formation, indicating a deliberate and professional approach to the impending conflict by both kings.
* **"Valiant men of war" (Hebrew, גִּבּוֹרֵי חַיִל, _gibborê chayil_):** This powerful descriptor, applied to Abijah's army, denotes soldiers of great strength, courage, and capability. The term _gibbor_ implies a hero or mighty warrior, while _chayil_ refers to strength, valor, or even wealth. Together, they paint a picture of highly trained, experienced, and formidable fighters, emphasizing that Judah's smaller army was not composed of mere conscripts but elite troops.
* **"Chosen men" (Hebrew, בָּחוּר, _bachur_):** This term, used for both armies, refers to selected, prime fighting men, typically young, strong, and fit for military service. It suggests that both Abijah and Jeroboam brought their best and most capable soldiers to the field, further highlighting the intensity and seriousness of the confrontation. The quality of the troops on both sides underscores the human impossibility of Judah's victory based solely on numbers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, [even] four hundred thousand chosen men:"** This clause introduces King Abijah of Judah, successor to Rehoboam, preparing for war. The phrase "set the battle in array" indicates a deliberate and organized military maneuver. His army is described as "valiant men of war" and "chosen men," emphasizing their quality and readiness, despite their numerical disadvantage of 400,000. This immediately establishes Judah's human limitations in the face of the coming conflict.
* **"Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, [being] mighty men of valour."** This second clause introduces Jeroboam, king of Israel, preparing his forces. The repetition of "set the battle in array" underscores the mutual readiness for combat. His army is twice the size of Abijah's, numbering 800,000, and is also described with terms like "chosen men" and "mighty men of valour," paralleling the quality of Judah's troops. This stark numerical contrast is the central point of the verse, setting up the dramatic tension and foreshadowing that the battle's outcome will transcend mere human military might.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 2 Chronicles 13:3 is **Contrast** or **Juxtaposition**. The verse immediately places the two opposing armies side-by-side, highlighting the stark numerical difference between Abijah's 400,000 and Jeroboam's 800,000. This immediate and striking comparison serves to emphasize the overwhelming odds faced by Judah. Related to this, there is an element of **Hyperbole**, a common feature in ancient Near Eastern military accounts where large numbers were often used to convey the immense scale and significance of a conflict rather than precise statistics. This exaggeration, if present, further underscores the human impossibility of Judah's victory. Finally, the verse employs **Foreshadowing**, as the dramatic numerical disparity immediately signals to the reader that the battle's outcome will not be determined by human strength alone, thereby preparing the audience for the subsequent narrative of divine intervention and Judah's miraculous victory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 13:3 powerfully introduces a foundational biblical theme: God's ability to work through apparent weakness and to grant victory regardless of human numerical advantage. The overwhelming odds presented in this verse are not meant to induce despair but to magnify the Lord's power and faithfulness when His people trust in Him. This principle challenges the human tendency to rely on visible resources and strength, instead calling for a radical dependence on divine sovereignty. The battle becomes a theological object lesson, demonstrating that true might resides not in the size of an army or the skill of its warriors, but in the presence and power of the Almighty God, who fights for His people.

* [Judges 7:7](/judges/7-7 "Judges 7:7 - God's Victory Through Gideon's Small Army")
* [1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - David's Declaration of God's Deliverance Against Goliath")
* [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord, Not Chariots or Horses")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark numerical contrast in 2 Chronicles 13:3 serves as a profound spiritual mirror for believers today. We often face "battles" in life—whether personal struggles, professional challenges, or spiritual warfare—where the odds seem overwhelmingly against us. Like Abijah's army, we may feel outnumbered, outresourced, or simply outmatched by the forces arrayed against us. This verse calls us to shift our gaze from the visible "eight hundred thousand" of our adversaries to the invisible, infinite power of God. It reminds us that our victory is not predicated on our strength, intelligence, or resources, but on our unwavering trust in the Lord. When we acknowledge our weakness and surrender our battles to Him, He is glorified through our deliverance, proving that His power is made perfect in weakness. Our call is to "set the battle in array" with faith, knowing that the Lord of Hosts fights for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "overwhelming odds" are you currently facing in your life that feel like Jeroboam's 800,000 against your 400,000?**
* **How does the numerical disparity in this verse challenge your natural tendency to rely on human strength or resources?**
* **In what practical ways can you "set the battle in array" with faith and trust in God, even when the situation seems humanly impossible?**

### FAQ
**Are the numbers of soldiers mentioned in 2 Chronicles 13:3 to be taken literally, or are they symbolic/rhetorical?**

Answer: The numbers presented in 2 Chronicles 13:3 (400,000 for Judah and 800,000 for Israel) are exceptionally large, even for ancient armies. While some scholars interpret them as literal figures, many others view them as symbolic or rhetorical, common in ancient Near Eastern military accounts. This perspective suggests that the numbers emphasize the vast scale of the conflict and the overwhelming numerical advantage of Israel, rather than providing an exact census. The Chronicler's primary aim is often theological: to highlight the miraculous nature of God's intervention when Judah, despite being vastly outnumbered, achieves victory. Regardless of their literal accuracy, the numbers effectively convey the human impossibility of Judah's triumph, thereby magnifying the power and faithfulness of God, who ultimately determines the outcome of battles, as seen in [2 Chronicles 13:15](/2_chronicles/13-15 "2 Chronicles 13:15 - God Strikes Down Jeroboam and Israel").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of 2 Chronicles 13:3, with its stark contrast between human military might and divine intervention, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Abijah's victory was a physical battle, Christ's triumph was a spiritual one, waged not with swords and armies but through self-sacrificial love and obedience. Jesus did not come to establish an earthly kingdom through military conquest, as He Himself declared, "[My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")." Instead, He faced the overwhelming "forces" of sin, death, and the devil, seemingly outmatched by the spiritual powers of darkness. Yet, through His crucifixion—an act of ultimate weakness in human eyes—He disarmed these powers and "[made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")." Our spiritual warfare today is not against "flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")). Just as God delivered Abijah's outnumbered army, Christ, the "[Lion of the tribe of Judah](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of the Tribe of Judah")" who is also the "[Lamb that was slain](/revelation/5-6 "Revelation 5:6 - The Lamb Who Was Slain")," secured an eternal victory that transcends all human military might, inviting us to find our strength and triumph in Him alone.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 17:1

¶ Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which [belongeth] to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.

1 Samuel 17:3

And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and [there was] a valley between them.

2 Chronicles 17:14

And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.

2 Chronicles 17:18

And next him [was] Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.

1 Chronicles 21:5

And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all [they of] Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah [was] four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword.

2 Chronicles 11:1

¶ And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen [men], which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.

2 Chronicles 14:8

And Asa had an army [of men] that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these [were] mighty men of valour.