Translations
Original
Notes
The Lord gave Judah a miraculous victory. Abijah took the areas around Bethel, Jeshanah, and Ephron from Israel (2 Chronicles 13:19). Along with Zemaraim (2 Chronicles 13:4), these towns in the hill country on Judah's northern border formed a geographical unit (see Joshua 18:22–23). We do not know what happened to this territory later. By the time of Amos, which was around 760 BC, Bethel was a major pagan shrine in Israel.
When God's people turned to him, he helped them, even after their kingdom was disrupted. This gave hope to the original readers in similar situations.
People
Abijah: King of Judah, son of Rehoboam Ephraim: Second son of Joseph, and a tribe of Israel Jeroboam: First king of the northern kingdom of Israel
Places
Bethel: Important city in Israel, associated with Abraham and Jacob Jeshanah: A town captured by Abijah from Jeroboam
Glossary
Abijah Abijam Bethel (Place), Bethelite Chronicles, Books of First and Second Ephraim (Place) Ephrain Ephron (Place) Genealogy Jehoram Jeroboam Jeshanah Ophrah (Place)
Topics
Ephraim: A City in the Territory of Ephraim Ephrain: A City in Benjamin Faithfulness: Abijah Jeshanah: A City on the North Side of Benjamin Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Abijam or Abijah Ophrah: A City in Territory of the Tribe of Benjamin: Possibly Identical with Ephrain