NOTES for Ch2 13:1-22

The war between Jeroboam and Abijah can be seen as a war between two states or as an internecine conflict. But it also proved to be a war for truth against militant paganism. Abijah's very address to the warriors of Israel reveals his faith and his confidence that the Lord will not turn away from Judah precisely because proper worship of God continues in the kingdom of Judah. Yes, the people of Judah often fall into sin and cease to keep the commandments, but faithfulness to God and the preservation of worship keep them from losing the way completely.

Jeroboam relies not only on the golden calves, but also on the strength of his army and on military skill. He appears to follow the rules of military science when he surrounds the army of Judah, after which it should have been defeated. How many times in the world's military history have victories been won in precisely this way! But not this time, when those doing the surrounding had turned away from the Lord in whom those surrounded placed their trust, and the encirclement itself led to the defeat of those who had encircled them.

One can calculate and weigh everything correctly, but if one forgets that the Lord has the power to change every circumstance, all calculations will prove empty.