Judah as in Israel.240

But perhaps the seeming discrepancy may be explained by the necessity of leaving strong garrisons in the

south to watch the Egyptian frontier (comp. 2 Chronicles 14:9). The two armies met at the boundary of the

two kingdoms, though, as we judge, within the territory of Israel. They camped in close proximity, only

separated by Mount Zemaraim,  241 a height to the east of Bethel and some distance north of Jericho, forming

part of the ridge known as "Mount Ephraim," which stretched from the plain of Esdraelon southwards.

From this height Abijah addressed the army of Israel just before the battle began, in the hope of securing

their voluntary submission, or at least weakening their resistance. Ignoring all that told against himself,242

Abijah tried to impress on his opponents that right was wholly on his side.243

In language full of irony he set before them their weakness, as the necessary result of their apostasy from

Jehovah, the God of their fathers, and of their adoption of a worship neither conformable to their ancient

faith nor even respectable in the sight of men. Lastly, he loudly protested that, since Judah had gone to war

under the leadership of Jehovah and in the manner appointed by Him, Israel was really fightin g against

Jehovah, the God of their fathers, and could not expect success. Whatever hollowness there may have been

in this profession on the part of Abijah, it was at least the true war-cry of Israel which he raised. It found an

echo in the hearts of his followers. In vain Jeroboam, by a cleverly executed movement, attacked Judah both

in front and rear. The terror excited by finding themselves surrounded only led the people to cry unto

Jehovah (2 Chronicles 13:14), and He was faithful to His promise (Numbers 10:9). The shout of the

combatants mingled with the blast of the priests' trumpets, as Judah rushed to the attack. Israel fled in wild

disorder, and a terrible carnage ensued. The fugitives were followed by the army of Judah, and Abijah

recovered from Israel the border-cities,244 with the districts around them. In consequence of this victory the

power of Jeroboam was henceforth on the wane, and that of Abijah in the ascendancy. Not long afterwards

Jehovah struck Jeroboam, either suddenly or with lingering disease, of which he died. He had, however

survived his rival, Abijah,245 for more than two years.

Abijah was succeeded on the throne of Judah by his son, Asa, probably at the time a boy of only ten or

eleven years.246 This may in part account for his pious up-bringing, as, during his minority he would be

chiefly under the official guardianship of the High-priest (comp. 2 Chronicles 22:12).

It also explains how a bold, resolute woman, such as Maachah, could still retain her official position as

Gevirah, or "queen-mother," until, on attaining majority, the young king commenced his religious

reformation. During the first ten years of Asa's reign the land had rest (2 Chronicles 14:1). While devoutly

acknowledging the goodness of God in this, it is easy to understand the outward circumstances by which it

was brought about. The temporary weakness of Egypt, the defeat of Jeroboam, and an alliance which Abijah

seems to have contracted with Syria (2 Chronicles 16:3), as well as afterwards the rapid succession of rival

dynasties in Israel, sufficiently explain it. For, during his long reign of forty-one years, Asa saw no fewer

than seven kings ascend the throne of Israel.247

The first work which Asa took in hand was a thorough religious reformation; his next, the strengthening of

the defenses of the country. For this the temporary state of security prevailing offered a happy opportunity

- "the land" being "still before them" - open and free from every enemy, though it was not difficult to foresee

that such would not long be the case. And, as king and people owned that this time of rest had been

granted them by Jehovah, so their preparations248 against future attacks were carried on in dependence

upon Him. The period of trial came only too soon.

An almost countless249 Egyptian host, under the leadership of Zerah,250 the Ethiopian, swarmed into Judah.

Advancing by the southwest, through the border of the Philistines, who, no doubt, made common cause

with the Egyptians (2 Chronicles 14:14), they appeared before Mareshah (comp. Joshua 15:44).