1 Kings 15:1-8 – How do we want to be remembered?

Abijam, the son of Rehoboam succeeded him on the throne in the 18^th year of Jeroboam’s rule. His reign was marked by continuous conflict with Jeroboam all the days of his life. Second Chronicles 13:1-20 described how in one battle; he was able to defeat Jeroboam with only half the force that the latter had. The passage in Chronicles made it clear it was God who had given him the victory. So he managed to capture Bethel, Jeshanah, and Ephron and the villages surrounding the three cities. However, he had a short reign, 1 Kings 15:2 said that ruled in Jerusalem for three years.

In the short reign that Abijam had, he was no better than his father for he did not walk in the way of David his great grandfather, who was wholly devoted to the Lord. Instead, he emulated his father Rehoboam and indulged in the same sins that he had committed. God allowed him to rule on the account of the promise He had made to David. Again this was the grace of the Lord on display. David was faithful to the Lord except in the case of Bathsheba with whom he committed adultery, and Uriah whom he murdered. But as far as his commitment to honor God, David never turned to idols, unlike Solomon, Rehoboam, and now Abijam. Like Rehoboam, all that Abijam had done were recorded in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah. When he died, he was buried in the city of David and his throne was succeeded by Asa, his son.

Abijam had the opportunity to make good what his father had failed. Obviously, he did not. In the battle he had with Jeroboam, 2 Chronicles 13:15-16 made it clear that it was God who had given his enemy into his hand. Despite the victory granted him by God, he did not reciprocate the goodness of God and return to serve Him alone. He continued in his father’s sinful steps. His was a lost opportunity. The lesson here for us is a call to seize opportunities to make our allegiance to God sure and certain. Every moment and experience in life is an opportunity to solidify our walk with God and make our salvation sure.  Don’t spurn His grace!

The second lesson we learn is from the life of David described here. From how the passage reminisces David’s devotion to God, we learn that God treasures faithfulness. We must emulate his faithful walk with God. What a priceless thought that God remembers when we live faithfully for Him. Conversely, David’s one misstep was also not forgotten. The stain of what he did to Bathsheba and Uriah though forgiven was never forgotten. How perfect would his record be had these episodes of his failures were not committed at all. But they did and were recorded for our learning. This serves to urge us to walk with God guardedly.