Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.
1 KINGS 15:7KJVWhat does 1 Kings 15:7 mean?
1 Kings 15:7 says that the rest of Abijam’s actions as king, along with everything he did, are recorded in another historical book, and that there was ongoing conflict between Abijam and Jeroboam. The verse points readers to other records for more details about Abijam’s reign and highlights the persistent warfare during his time.
This verse is part of a summary about King Abijam of Judah, written by the author of 1 Kings for readers interested in the history of Israel and Judah’s kings. It tells us that not all of Abijam’s deeds are listed here, but can be found in the “book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah,” and it notes the continued hostilities with Jeroboam, the king of Israel, giving a sense of the political tension of the period.
The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 15:7
- “rest” (יֶתֶר, yether): This word means “remainder” or “what is left.” Here, it refers to the additional acts of Abijam not mentioned in this account, suggesting the biblical record is selective.
- “acts” (דָּבָר, davar): Often translated “words,” “matters,” or “things,” this term covers both actions and events, so it includes everything significant about Abijam’s reign.
- “written” (כָּתַב, kathav): This verb means “to write.” Its use here points to the existence of written historical records outside the biblical text, showing that the biblical authors drew from other sources.
- “war” (מִלְחָמָה, milchamah): This word means “war” or “battle.” Its mention emphasizes that Abijam’s reign was marked by conflict, not peace, especially with Jeroboam.
Why 1 Kings 15:7 matters
- This verse clarifies that the biblical account is not exhaustive and that other historical records existed, which helps readers understand the selective nature of the Bible’s historical books.
- By mentioning the ongoing war with Jeroboam, the verse highlights the instability and division between the kingdoms of Judah and Israel during this period.
- The reference to the “book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah” connects this verse to a broader tradition of royal record-keeping, showing that the biblical authors valued historical documentation.