2 Chronicles 13:21 – “But Abijah grew in strength. He married fourteen wives and had twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse describes how King Abijah of Judah gained power and strength after his victory over Jeroboam and the northern kingdom of Israel. The phrase “grew in strength” not only refers to his military or political influence but also likely reflects his increasing authority as a ruler in Judah. It shows that Abijah’s success continued after his defeat of Jeroboam, allowing him to solidify his reign.
The verse also notes that Abijah had fourteen wives, along with many children—twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters. During that time, having many children, particularly sons, was considered a sign of blessing and strength for a king. Marriages often helped form alliances with other nations and solidified a king’s political power. However, having multiple wives was a common practice for kings, though it didn’t necessarily align with God’s ideal for marriage as set out in Genesis.
Historical Context
At this time in Israel’s history, the nation had split into two kingdoms: the northern kingdom of Israel, ruled by Jeroboam, and the southern kingdom of Judah, ruled by Abijah. The division occurred after the reign of King Solomon, due to political and spiritual tensions. Abijah, the son of Rehoboam and grandson of Solomon, ruled Judah and, like his forefathers, was part of the Davidic line.
Abijah’s victory over Jeroboam strengthened his rule in Judah. His growing power allowed him to establish his kingdom, secure alliances, and expand his family, ensuring the continuation of his lineage. While his father Rehoboam had struggled to maintain control, Abijah was able to solidify his position as king.
In the ancient world, large families were seen as a sign of God’s blessing, particularly for kings, because they ensured a legacy and the continuity of the royal line. Marriages, especially multiple ones, were often used as political tools to secure alliances with neighboring nations or powerful families within the kingdom.
Theological Implications
This verse raises important theological questions, particularly regarding the practice of polygamy. While the Bible records that many Old Testament figures, including kings like David and Solomon, had multiple wives, this practice doesn’t align with God’s original design for marriage as described in Genesis 2:24, where one man and one woman are meant to be united as one flesh.
Abijah’s many wives and children reflect the culture of the time, where kings sought to expand their influence through marriage alliances. However, this doesn’t mean God approved of polygamy. The Bible often shows the negative consequences that come from having multiple wives, such as jealousy, family strife, and disobedience to God’s commands.
At the same time, this verse shows that Abijah was blessed with power and influence, which can be seen as a sign of God’s continued favor on the Davidic line, despite his flaws. God’s plan to preserve the line of David, which would eventually lead to Jesus, continued through kings like Abijah, even though they were imperfect.
Literary Analysis
The verse is divided into two parts. The first focuses on Abijah’s growing strength, which underscores his successful reign following the victory over Israel. The second part describes his family life, particularly his numerous wives and children. This structure highlights the two ways in which Abijah’s power was demonstrated: politically (through his strength as a ruler) and personally (through his large family).
The mention of his many wives and children serves to illustrate the norms of royalty in that period. While today we might question the moral implications of polygamy, in ancient times, this was a sign of prosperity and success for a king. The large number of sons and daughters indicates the security and continuation of his dynasty.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Genesis 2:24 – “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” This verse sets forth God’s original design for marriage—one man and one woman.
- Deuteronomy 17:17 – “He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray.” This command for kings shows that God warned against polygamy, knowing the problems it could bring.
- 1 Kings 11:3-4 – This passage describes how Solomon’s many wives turned his heart away from God, leading him into idolatry and spiritual downfall.
- Psalm 127:3-5 – This passage speaks of children as a blessing from the Lord, which helps explain why having many children was seen as a sign of favor in biblical times.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse serves as a reminder that while the Bible records the actions of historical figures, not everything they did was in line with God’s will. Abijah’s large number of wives and children reflect the cultural practices of the time but don’t necessarily serve as a model for us to follow.
Instead, this verse challenges us to look beyond cultural norms and focus on God’s original design for marriage and family. While Abijah was blessed with strength and influence, the Bible later shows the problems that arise from having multiple wives and divided loyalties. This invites us to reflect on how we can honor God’s design for marriage and family in our own lives, focusing on faithfulness and integrity rather than worldly standards of success.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse shows God’s faithfulness in continuing to bless the line of David, even though Abijah, like many of his predecessors, had flaws. God’s love is patient, and He continued to work through imperfect people to accomplish His greater purposes.
God’s love is also seen in His provision for Abijah, giving him strength and influence despite his imperfections. This reflects how God often works through broken and flawed individuals to bring about His plans, showing that His grace covers human shortcomings.
At the same time, God’s love calls us to align our lives with His design and purpose, especially in areas like family and relationships. While He blesses us in many ways, He also desires that we live according to His will, which ultimately brings about the greatest blessings.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse connects to Jesus Christ through the theme of God’s preservation of the line of David. Abijah, as a descendant of David, played a role in the continuation of the Davidic line, which ultimately led to the birth of Jesus, the promised Messiah. Despite Abijah’s imperfections, God’s plan to bring salvation through Jesus remained intact.
Jesus is the true King from the line of David, who perfectly fulfills God’s design for marriage, family, and leadership. Where earthly kings like Abijah were flawed, Jesus lived a sinless life and perfectly modeled God’s plan for relationships and obedience. In Matthew 1:1, Jesus is identified as the “son of David,” showing the fulfillment of the promises made to David’s descendants.
Through Jesus, we see the ultimate expression of God’s love and faithfulness, as He restores and redeems the brokenness in our lives, just as He worked through the flawed kings of Judah to bring about His perfect plan of salvation.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does this verse teach us about the difference between cultural practices and God’s ideal design for marriage and family?
- How does Abijah’s growing strength and influence reflect both God’s blessing and the cultural values of the time?
- What lessons can we learn from Abijah’s life about the importance of following God’s commands, especially in areas like marriage and family relationships?
- How does God’s faithfulness to the line of David, despite Abijah’s imperfections, encourage us in our own walk with God?
- How does Jesus, as the perfect descendant of David, fulfill the promises made to Abijah and his family, and how does that shape our understanding of God’s plan for salvation?
This verse reminds us that God works through imperfect people to accomplish His plans, but it also challenges us to align our lives with His will. Through Jesus, we can experience the fullness of God’s design for our relationships and our lives, trusting in His grace and faithfulness even when we fall short.