2 Chronicles 13:3

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

2 Chronicles 13:3 describes the formidable military preparations for a pivotal battle between the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation, highlighting the vast disparity in military strength between the two sides.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is situated early in the history of the divided monarchy, following the rebellion against Rehoboam, Solomon's son, which led to the split of the twelve tribes into two separate kingdoms: Judah (under the Davidic line, with Abijah as king) and Israel (under Jeroboam). The conflict described here is a significant clash between King Abijah of Judah and King Jeroboam of Israel, illustrating the ongoing tensions and animosity that characterized this period. The numbers presented—400,000 chosen men for Judah and 800,000 for Israel—underscore the immense scale of this inter-kingdom war, a direct consequence of the division of the united kingdom.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Numerical Disparity: The most striking feature of this verse is the overwhelming numerical advantage of Jeroboam's army (800,000) over Abijah's forces (400,000). This significant difference immediately signals that the outcome of the battle will not be determined by human strength alone.
  • Reliance on God vs. Human Might: This imbalance foreshadows a key biblical theme: God often uses situations where His people are outnumbered or outmatched to demonstrate His power and sovereignty. The narrative of 2 Chronicles 13 strongly emphasizes Judah's reliance on the Lord, contrasting it with Israel's confidence in their superior numbers.
  • Consequences of Division: The very existence of this massive conflict highlights the tragic consequences of the kingdom's division. What was once a united people now engages in destructive warfare against each other, a stark reminder of the pain and strife that can arise from disobedience and political schism.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses phrases like "valiant men of war" and "mighty men of valour" to describe the soldiers on both sides. These terms, derived from Hebrew words indicating strength, capability, and courage (such as chayil), emphasize that these were not just large numbers of conscripts, but highly capable and experienced warriors. This further highlights the formidable challenge Abijah faced, as he was not only outnumbered but also up against equally skilled adversaries.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Chronicles 13:3 offers a powerful reminder that our battles, whether spiritual, personal, or communal, may often seem insurmountable when viewed from a purely human perspective. When facing overwhelming odds, this passage encourages us to look beyond visible resources and remember that God's power is not limited by our circumstances or the strength of our adversaries. Just as Abijah and Judah ultimately found victory through their reliance on the Lord (as seen in subsequent verses of this chapter), we are called to place our trust in God, knowing that He is able to deliver us even when we are vastly outnumbered or outmatched. This principle echoes throughout Scripture, from Gideon's small army to David's confrontation with Goliath.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 17:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • 1 Chronicles 21:5 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    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.