Jehoram did evil in the eyes of the Lord

2 Chronicles 21: 1-20
When Jehoram established himself firmly over his father’s kingdom, he put all his brothers to the sword along with some of the officials of Israel. Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

Jehoram received a letter from Elijah the prophet, which said:

“This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: ‘You have not followed the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or of Asa king of Judah. But you have followed the ways of the kings of Israel, and you have led Judah and the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, just as the house of Ahab did. You have also murdered your own brothers, members of your own family, men who were better than you. So now the Lord is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives and everything that is yours, with a heavy blow. You yourself will be very ill with a lingering disease of the bowels until the disease causes your bowels to come out.’”

The evil influence of Jehoram’s wife (although was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel) proved stronger than his father’s good example. Jehoram lost control over Edom and Libnah on the Philistine border and led the nation into idolatry. Nobody was sorry when he died: a terrible epitaph(墓誌銘).
Why?
Jehoram became so worse and did evil in the eyes of the Lord for his father let him married the daughter of Ahab as his wife. So he did more evil and killed his brothers who are better than him.
Man’s idea without the blessing from the Lord may induce disaster in the near future.
Jehoram did so worse so when he died no one was sorry for him.
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人愈有權柄，愈沒有安全感。怕人造反，於是殺了他的兄弟。安全感來自神！
約沙法政治聯姻，以為用人的方法來解決問題。神仍然有憐憫，保守大衛的家持續下去。
以東、利拿侵犯，不見得是因為人的罪，但是這裏卻是因為猶大王犯了罪。
外患四起是神的審判臨到。
想要靠自己，結果什麼都沒有了，只剩下一個兒子。歷代誌中最壞的王瑪拿西，最後還是悔改了，但是約蘭最後並沒有悔改！根源在於娶了一個沒有信仰的妻子，反而被影響。約沙法當初為了國家利益，不走神的道路。以致影響兩代。到亞哈謝幾乎亡國。
信仰好是否能夠帶人信主呢?否則不能算好。人若賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有什麼益處呢？若不渴望神的話語怎能影響到別人呢?
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How?
Follow the Lord with all of my heart, my strength and all my mind.

The alliance with Israel mars the good record of Jehoshaphat's reign

2 Chronicles 20:31-37
So Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.
Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, whose ways were wicked. 
Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.” The ships were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade.
Only the alliance with Israel mars(damage) the good record of Jehoshaphat's reign.
Why?
Jehoshaphat did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. But there were some faults. One is the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their ancestors. The high places were not removed.
Second Jehoshaphat made an alliance with Ahaziah, once again he negotiated with the wicked king of Israel.  So the Eliezer warned him what they made will be destroyed. And it has come true.
God's word is always right and will be done. People in peace and property is easy to do something in his own smart idea. 
Any a little idols or sin in our heart may induce more faulty matter.
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丘壇未除去，顯出約沙法的缺失。雖然他的信仰是好的。犯錯的共通點是可以依靠其他勢力的時候，就依靠人的勢力。
迦南的信仰已經紮根在以色列人心中超過百年，已經無法除去。所以只有將他們趕出以色列離開這地，拆除後再重新建造。
約沙法又和亞哈謝結盟，人有一點自己的能力就想要走自己的路。世界的方法是靠人、靠車、靠馬。因為人看得見。現在也是看國家權力大的就想要依靠強國。只有對我有利的國家就想倚靠。
基督徒是依靠神還是依靠人，還是要到沒有指望的時候才仰望神。然而即使在沒有指望時，人卻不見得會倚靠神。猶大的最後幾個王，不知依靠神，而去倚靠埃及、亞述。
今天我們也是外交上想靠美國，靠大陸，生活上靠政府、找到好工作，要靠關係，才能有好生活?
丘壇不能廢去，因為如何拜由我們決定，其實就是自己做主。
神有時破壞我們的工作，我們要感恩，可能我們所做的不合神的心意。我們常常不能廢去我們內心的丘壇。
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How?
Pray to the Lord keep me fearing of the Lord, for God knows what we are thinking and our actions.

For the battle is not yours,but God's

2 Chronicles 20:1-30
After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites[a] came to wage war against Jehoshaphat.
Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard
Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.
 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever."
On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.
The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.
There is no account of this war in Kings. Judah's trust in God is amply vindicated. The invaders quarrel among themselves and leave the spoil to Judah.
Why?
Peace and victory belong to the Lord, God gives his people peace and property.
God is trustworthy when Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord.  
Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever. Praise to the Lord!
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約沙法知道依靠耶和華，所有猶大人都出來尋求神。因為之前派人到各地教導人，所以全國的人都來尋求神的幫助。
約沙法的禱告分4部份
1.耶和華是萬國萬邦的主。各國都在神掌控下
2.照神的應許來禱告
3.引用所羅門的禱告
4.向神表明，我是軟弱的，離開主什麼都不能做。全然謙卑。
只有擺陣，不要打仗。站在前面的是唱詩班。他們大大經歷得勝。外國看了都害怕。
危機中考驗人是否信服神，試驗人的信心，在試練中認識神。什麼都不要做，真的完全放手，放心不害怕，在強敵下。如此就可以經歷神的得勝。看看人是否完全順服。就是要人全然放下。
人是否在災難中、病患中放下交給給，在敵人刀口下，槍口前面，我們可以完全放心交託神嗎？
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How?
Praise to the Lord and give thanks to the Lord in any circumstances. Real faith is to do nothing but pray to the Lord. 

You are not judging for mere mortals but for the Lord

2  Chronicles 19:4-11
Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the Lord, the God of their ancestors. He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. 6 He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”
In Jerusalem also, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests and heads of Israelite families to administer the law of the Lord and to settle disputes. 
He gave them these orders: “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord. In every case that comes before you from your people who live in the cities—whether bloodshed or other concerns of the law, commands, decrees or regulations—you are to warn them not to sin against the Lord
Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter concerning the Lord, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be over you in any matter concerning the king, and the Levites will serve as officials before you. Act with courage, and may the Lord be with those who do well.
After Ramothgiled, Jehoshaphat concentrates on home affairs. He appoints civil judges, sets up local law-courts and a mixed court of appeal in Jerusalem.
Why?
Jehoshaphat appointed judges in the land, let the judge be done over the land. He encourages them to judge carefully for the Lord and there is no injustice or partiality or bribery. God's righteousness may be done in his country.
Fear the Lord and faithfully in the Lord is the kernel spirit to make judge among people.
There were administration system be built among the nation in the judges and king's matter and other concerns of the law.
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信仰不能學樣子，只有外表。所以以耶和華的律法來教導人。各人與神建立關係，不能只是宗教的活動。
聽了主的證話語是為了使我們的心改變，有好的行為影響人，並且成為教導別人的人。
判斷是為神，為耶和華，為了主的榮耀。沒有不義，彰顯公義。行公義，對罪惡者嚴厲，對受害者有憐憫。矯傲者不能行公義，權柄為了叫罪人害怕，為受難者申冤。為行善者蒙祝福。
我們今天有任何能力，權柄，是要讓神的名得榮耀。
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How?
Live out the love and the righteousness is our obligation to a Christian today.

As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what my God says.

2 Chronicles 18:1-19:3
Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.
But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.”
So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.”
 The other prophets were prophesying the same thing. “Attack Ramoth Gilead and be victorious,” they said, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”
But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what my God says.”
Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’
Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing on his right and on his left. And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’
Micaiah declared, “If you ever return safely, the Lord has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Mark my words, all you people!”
When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem,  Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, “Should you help the wicked and love[a] those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is on you. There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.”
Why?
The majority like say with popular talk, they have not their mind or idea, they don't seek the truth, but the world.
Only Micaiah seeks the Lord and says the word of God. But ungodly people like to listen the good words, like the fortune and blessing word.
To be a follower of the Lord have suffered, but it's living with joy and peace.
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結親： 通常是政治因素聯姻。約沙法本來很敬畏神的原因，忘記他過去信靠耶和華，才使他豐富，強大。
約沙法仍然有求問耶和華的習慣。這400個講的他不信，約沙法知道有神的先知，連亞哈王也知道米該亞是耶和華的先生。亞哈王其實根本不在乎先知說什麼?400個先知是說給約沙法聽的。
亞哈王為了討好約沙法所以演出這戲。
我們常常希望神同意我們的心意，如果神不同意，卻又願意聽。約沙法一方面好像很屬靈，求問神，神答覆了，卻又不聽，因為不合我們的心意。
亞哈王千算萬算，遇事一個天兵，居然射中小小的甲縫中。這在告訴約沙法神的話一出必定成就，人無處可以逃。這完全是神的工作。不管怎麼聰明，怎能逃離神的定意。
神讓亞哈王的死，給約沙法看，即使尋求神的心意，不合我們心意，也要遵行。
後來先知也警告約沙法王，要專心尋求神。不要找這塊雲，那塊雲，我們的天上只有一塊雲，就是神。我們離開神，什麼事都不能做。
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How?
God is my Lord, so even there is suffering in front of me I have to say the truth and God's word.

Taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord

2 Chronicles 17:1-19
The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because in his early years he walked in the Amy’s his father David had followed. He did not consult the Baals but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel.
He sent his officials and the priests to teach in the towns of Judah. They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord.
The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not make war with Jehoshaphat. Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Alan’s brought him flocks.
The Chronicler gives Jehoshaphat, a reforming king like Asa, much more space. 
Jehoshaphat builds up a strong army and defenses. He arranges for the people to be taught the law. And he is much respected by the surrounding nations. The worship of foreign gods clearly continues in the kingdom, since Jehoshaphat destroys their shrines, as his father had done.
Book of the Lord: Part or all of the ‘five books’ - the Pentateuch.
Why?
There was a comparison between Judah and Israel. One sought the God of his father, another did practices away from the Lord.
The consequence is different between Jehoshaphat and Israel. There was not war and foreign countries brought gifts to them, so Judah was more property and strong.
Jehoshaphat did one thing kept people follow the Lord, for he sent officials and protest to teach his people the word of the Lord. Most people had no chance to listen to God’s word. Education is basic for a nation to be strong.
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跟隨主要付代價，但是卻是喜樂高興的跟隨主。
約撒法和一般王只除去偶像而已，卻還有教導百姓認識主，在以色列歷史中很少見。帶出的果效是四周各國懼怕猶大。居然連非力士人也送禮物給猶大。
兵力達116萬元，兵力很大的，要養這麼多兵力，勢必有足夠的財務處。
即使國力如此強，卻和亞哈王結親，可能政治聯姻。這是人的軟弱。
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How?
Only follow the word of the Lord may bring peace and property. There is no other way to get peace and strong to the country and to a man.

Asa did a foolish thing

2 Chronicles 16:1-14
Asa then took the silver and gold out of the treasuries of the Lord’s temple and of his own palace and sent it to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus.  “Let there be a treaty between me and you,” he said, “as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.”
At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” 
Asa was angry with the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison. At the same time, Asa brutally oppressed some of the people.
In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians.  Then in the forty-first year of his reign, Asa died and rested with his ancestors.
Asa's faith weakens under test in his later years. Under threat from Israel, he calls in foreign aid from Syria. And in sickness, he turns, not to God, but to doctors. These may, in fact, be mediums or medicine-men, since 'this is the only time in the Bible that consulting physicians is considered a sin'. Nonetheless, in death, his people honor him.
Why?
Asa was foolish for, under peace and victory, he became arrogant and proud, he forgot what the Lord has done to him and his country.
Many Christian turns away from their trust in the Lord for they are wealthy and victory. They think their property is their efforts instead of God’s blessing.
When Asa left the Lord and war and disease came so he died.
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北國向南推進，不准從拉瑪進入耶路撒冷。過了21年為何不再求神的幫助?
拿出金銀來，表示有錢了，過慣了太平日子，太平日子慢慢忘記神，用錢就可以解決事情。人遇事困難先找人幫助，國與國之間，就找大國。需要用錢！也真的用！以後北國就不再修築拉瑪 。
用錢可以 解決，  可以自己做主，不用再倚靠神了。
猶大不再掌控反而被他們控制。本來猶大亞蘭人平起平坐。
人不怕錯，怕的是不認錯。一個原來一個非常敬畏神的人，卻失落了。不要以為一次沒有關係。漸漸就離開神， 最後誰能知道未來，誰能掌握明天?  讓我們即時倚靠神！ 
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How?
Blesses is the one who trust in the Lord all his life. God is my fortress and my hope and my way! Praise to the Lord Almighy!





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How?
Blesses is the one who trust in the Lord all his life. God is my fortress and my hope and my way! Praise to the Lord Almighty!

He removed the detestable idols from the whole land, so the Lord gave them rest on every side.

2 Chronicles 15:1-19
The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded.  He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.
When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage. He removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hills of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the portico of the Lord’s temple.
They assembled at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa’s reign. They took an oath to the Lord with loud acclamation, with shouting and with trumpets and horns. All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side.
King Asa also deposed his grandmother Maakah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive image for the worship of Asherah. Asa cut it down, broke it up and burned it in the Kidron Valley.
Azariah is mentioned only here in the Old Testament. His prophecy is the spur that sets As's reforms in motion.
Loyal men from the two northern tribes migrated to Judah. But Simeon's territory had always been in the south, and the bribe had been assimilated long ago by Judah.
Why?
Asa listened to the word of God from Azariah and gave him the courage to remove the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and all his territory.
Only God can give us rest and peace in the world.
The family of the king is the source of idols make in the time of Solomon. Asa has the power to deposed his grandmother Maakah from her position as queen mother is a great activity to remove idols.
Wholehearted worship to the Lord should be with action, such as remove the idols from our hearts.
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丘壇未廢去，已經許久了。百姓沒有律法的教導，以致王熱心，百姓卻無知。可能從士師時代開始。即好久沒有聽道了，很久沒有讀經了。
7000隻羊雖然沒有所羅門時那麼多，但是也是相當大的量。百姓都一起來立約。
亞比雅的媽媽所立的柱像拆掉、廢掉太后位子。做門徒要以耶穌為標竿。事物的關係，甚至親情的關係，都是以耶穌基督為準。重新整隊的參考點中央伍。
亞撒王改革從自己做起。
改革留下尾巴。即丘壇沒有廢去的遺憾。很多人都參加了，但是不見得每個人持續這個感動而有行動。或者說有的感動是做樣子。愛主不是做樣子，愛主要盡心、盡性、盡意、盡力。為什麼要分四個部份，因為神很容易為自己保留一點世界上的東西、情慾。所以提醒我們要小心。
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How?
Let's removed the detestable idols from my heart, only the Lord is my king in my heart! 

Peace is the gift of God to an obedient king and people

2 Chronicles 14:1-15
Asa his son succeeded him as king, and in his days the country was at peace for ten years. Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He built up the fortified cities of Judah since the land was at peace. No one was at war with him during those years, for the Lord gave him rest.
Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord, our God, for we rely on you, and in your name, we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.”
The Lord struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah. The Cushites fled, and Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar.
The writer of Kings approves of Asa: the Chronicles sees good and bad in his reign. Peace is the gift of God to an obedient king and people. The great victory, too, is God's doing.
Why?
Peace and victory are the gifts of the Lord, only God can give peace and victory to those who obey the word of the Lord.
Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God, so Asa is a good king in the writer and God's eyes.
Good or bad according to what we are doing instead of what I am saying.
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亞撒得勝繁榮是因為尋求耶和華
除掉丘壇、柱像，顯然所羅門及前王國中有偶像。今天我們雖然不去拜偶像，但是只要以別的取代神的地位，這就是偶像。拆毀這些才能積極尋求神，認真走主的道路。
沒有戰爭、雖然太平是還是建造堅固城。神的帶領雖然每天都過好日子，但是平常還是預備萬一。神賜平安還是要為以後可能有戰爭而預備。
人得到恩典、財富後以為屬於自己的，這些是因為神給的。人的看守不夠，還要有神的看守。若非神看守城池，人看守也是枉然。這裏有兩個看守。我們常常在窮困時倚靠神、然而豐富時不知倚靠神！因為人沒有辦法而尋求神！有田地時，自己種就好了，似乎不用倚靠神。
我們都是器皿，不是我們的工作，都是神的工作。不要容人勝過你(神). 這些
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How?
Do what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord my God! Peace and property will be with us.

As for me, the Lord is my God, and I have not forsaken him.

2 Chronicles 13:1-14:1
Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim, in the hill country of Ephraim, and said, “Jeroboam and all Israel, listen to me!  Don’t you know that the Lord, the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt? 
"As for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him. The priests who serve the Lord are sons of Aaron, and the Levites assist them. God is with us; he is our leader. His priests with their trumpets will sound the battle cry against you. People of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed.”
Judah turned and saw that they were being attacked at both front and rear. Then they cried out to the Lord. The priests blew their trumpets and the men of Judah raised the battle cry. At the sound of their battle cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.  The Israelites fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hands.  Abijah and his troops inflicted heavy losses on them, so that there were five hundred thousand casualties among Israel’s able men. The Israelites were subdued on that occasion, and the people of Judah were victorious because they relied on the Lord, the God of their ancestors.
Abijah pursued Jeroboam and took from him the towns of Bethel, Jeshanah and Ephron, with their surrounding villages.  Jeroboam did not regain power during the time of Abijah. And the Lord struck him down and he died.
The fuller account here enlarges on what constitutes 'proper' worship, and on the reason for Judah's victory. Abijah's large family is meant to be seen as a sign of God's blessing.
Why?
For Judah rely on the Lord, when they called on the Lord, God helped them, and rescued them from enemies.
God is the greatest king beyond anything in the world. Listen to the word of the Lord will lack nothing.
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亞比雅的為人，兵力只有耶波羅安的一半。
我們的信仰純正，是否真是敬畏神的人，從列王紀看不是如此敬虔，不如大衛。
我們常常和亞比雅一樣，與主是若即若離。亞比雅說的是聖殿的禮儀，卻沒有提及他是否公義、憐憫、信實。好像兩個人在比較誰奉獻多、參加晨更、來教會。生活中是否對神有信實的心?不知道！不能斷定！我們不能從外表來斷定一個人的信仰。
列王紀從責備的角度看，歷代紀並非如此而是整體上來看。真正敬虔的人不會強調自己多麼敬虔。
猶大人呼求耶和華，神回應他們，而非記載亞比雅呼求。這也是神的慈愛，只要呼求就幫助呼求神的人。
凡是願意回轉歸向神的神必幫助他，憐憫他。並非平常可以放縱自己，需要時再呼求神。對於從被擄之地回來的人，他們需要看到神的憐憫。
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How?
As for me, the Lord is my God, and I have not forsaken him. Return to the Lord! God prefers to save us when our heart turn to Him.

Learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands.

2 Chronicles 12:1-16
After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the Lord. Because they had been unfaithful to the Lord, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam.
The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is just.”
When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak. They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands.”
When Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem, he carried off the treasures of the temple of the Lord and the treasures of the royal palace. He took everything, including the gold shields Solomon had made.
Invasion, here and later, is seen as a direct consequence of disloyalty to God. National repentance (not mentioned in the Kings account) limits its effects, but Judah remains under Egyptian domination for some years.
Why?
Because king and all Israel abandoned the law of the Lord, so God’s wrath poured upon them, Shostakovich king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem and took away many treasures from the Temple.
Serve the Lord.
The lesson is learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands. Serving the Lord always better then serving the kings of other lands. So our eyes should look beyond the land, and for us on the King in heaven.
All of treasure are given by the Lord, if we are just and obey the word of God, God will give us more.
How?
Serve the Lord is better than serve any others. God is good, his love endure forever.