1st Kings 15:1-8: Measure of a man inside and out

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Two accounts of the rise of Abiyam (Abijam) aka Abiyah (Abijah), the grandson on King Shlomo (Solomon), the throne of Yehudah (Judah) are recorded in 2nd Chron. 13:1-22 and 1st Kings 15:1-8. Chronicles portrays Abiyam as a God-fearing king, while 1st Kings portrays him as a king who didn’t love God. These seem to be internal and external perspectives of the man.

Rehoboam rejected the Lord as his God after the third year of his reign. He was appointed as king by his father Rehoboam. 

On the surface, at least, he was a good king, but he did not reign very long. In 2nd Chron. 11:18 we learn that Abiyah’s mother was Maacah, the granddaughter of Absolom. 

As we put the pieces together, we discover that Abiyam was more like his father Rehoboam than his great-grandfather David. Abiyam at least understands when he confronts Yeroboam (Jeroboam) that Yeroboam is not necessarily good. Abiyam appeals to David’s righteousness, not his own. 

One lesson from this passage is just because God blesses someone doesn’t mean He is with that person or condones the person’s character. 

God gave the kings certain stipulations that are recorded in Deut. 17:14-20 (cp. Isa. 11:3-5). God warns the kings not to multiply horses, wives or money. Horses give a king the illusion of might without God. Having more than one wife turns the heart, particularly wives of non-Israelites. Foreign wives bring foreign gods but even multiple Israelite wives will be the primary influence on the children. 

You can’t be a good king and leader if you heart is divided, either towards God v. pagan “gods” or between different wives. 

The king was also supposed to write a copy of the law for himself. Kings who are good in two of the three rules are considered “mediocre” king in God’s eyes. Abiyam is a warrior, with a large horse collection. He had many wives and since he followed in the steps of his father Rehoboam, it is likely he was an oppressor of his people. By the criteria in Deuteronomy 17, Abiyam fails on all four counts as a king. 

Abiyam seemed to have some knowledge of the law, based on the battle he fought as recorded in Chronicles. It is also very unlikely that he ever recorded the Law for himself. Otherwise, he most likely would not have fallen into the other sins. None of the kings ever stack up against David. 

Rehoboam was instructed by not to go against Israel. He disobeyed and was smitten by God as a results. 

Do we measure ourselves against someone else? No, we all measure ourselves and other based on the measuring stick of the Torah. Yet God overlooks our shortcomings, just as he overlooks the shortcomings of the kings of Judah. He judges us based on what we know, not on what He knows. He delivered Abiyam in spite of his shortcomings and gives him mercy, particularly in the battle against Israel. 

Abiyam’s only purpose was to raise his son, for his son to become king, to produce a son better than him. God protected him for David’s sake and the sake of the future Messiah. 

Most of us do not lead thousands or millions of people. Yet we do have spheres of influence, and we are called to be a righteous influence on them. 

Speaker: Daniel Agee. Summary: Tammy.