Battle at Mt. Zemaraim
Abijah, Solomon’s grandson, becomes king
[Before Zemaraim.] By the time Abijah became Judah’s king, Jeroboam had been king of Israel for almost 18 years. A state of civil war between Judah and Israel continued throughout the reign of King Abijah and King Jeroboam.Million-man battle at Zemaraim
In one battle, Abijah led his army of 400,000 warriors north, where they set up a battle line facing Jeroboam’s army of 800,000 fighters—double the size of Abijah’s army. Abijah climbed onto the slopes of Mount Zemaraim (location uncertain), in the hills of Ephraim’s tribal territory. He called out to his enemy. He said, “Listen to me, Jeroboam, and all you people of Israel who stand with him. Don’t you know that the LORD God of Israel created David’s family dynasty of kings? God added preservatives to this promise he made to David. God salted it to last the generations...Ambushing God
Jeroboam managed to sneak part of his army into the woods behind Abijah’s warriors. So, Judah’s attack force would have to fight on two fronts. One before them and one behind them. When Judah’s army saw what was behind them, they cried out for the LORD’s help while the priests blew their battle horns. At the sound of the trumpets, warriors of Judah screamed their battle cry. God heard their prayers and crushed their enemies, defeating Jeroboam and the Israelites who followed him.Israel’s retreat
Israel ran away from Judah’s army. This was God’s gift to Judah. Half a million Israelite warriors fell in that battle. Judah defeated the northern tribes of Israel because they put their trust in the LORD, God of their ancestors. Abijah pressed the attack as Israel retreated. He took the border towns of Bethel, Jeshanah and Ephrain, with their outlying communities. Jeroboam never recovered from that defeat. He could never reestablish his power as king. (2 Chronicles 13)Where to find more Bible maps
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Battle at Mt Zemaraim
