ABIA. – Name of various biblical figures (Hebrew Abiyām in Kings, ‘Abiyāhīu and ‘Abiyāh in Chronicles, ‘Ajahweh and father).
1. Son of Rehoboam and his successor on the throne of Judah, he reigned for three years—precisely two years and a few months—from 912 to 910 B.C. His mother was Maacah; he had 27 brothers and 60 sisters by his father, but only three brothers also by his mother (2 Chron. 11:20–21). Rehoboam’s preference for Abia was a consequence of the king’s favor toward Maacah. To prevent the brothers from challenging the chosen heir, he gave each command of a fortress (ibid., 11:21–23). Abia indulged himself in the palace of Jerusalem and allowed idolatry to spread. Since “his heart was not loyal to the Lord,” he would have been exterminated had God not shown him mercy because of the promises made to David (1 Kings 15:3–4).
War, which had smoldered since the division of Israel from Judah, flared up under Abia, and the clash was severe. Before engaging Jeroboam in battle, Abia addressed the opposing forces, affirming the inalienability of the house of David’s right to rule over all the people of God (2 Chron. 13:4–12). On this occasion, Abia made a vow, later fulfilled by his son Asa with rich gifts to the temple (1 Kings 15:15; 2 Chron. 13:16–19). Abia had 14 wives, 22 sons, and 16 daughters. At his death, he was buried in the City of David.
2. Son of Jeroboam I, king of Israel, who died at an uncertain age in Tirzah as punishment for his father’s impiety. Jeroboam sent the queen disguised as a poor woman, with modest gifts (10 loaves, honey, a cake) to the aged prophet Ahijah (q.v.) at Shiloh. Though blind, Ahijah recognized her, foretold the death of her son (which would occur as she crossed the threshold of the palace, as indeed happened), and the destruction of her family and the kingdom of Israel. Abia was buried amid the weeping of the people (1 Kings 14:1–18).
3. One of the sons of Becher, son of Benjamin (1 Chron. 7:8).
4. Second son of Samuel, whom he associated with his brother Joel in administering justice; but he gave a poor account of himself, and the people demanded a king (1 Sam. 8:2; 1 Chron. 6:28).
5. A descendant of Eleazar, son of Aaron, head of the eighth of the 24 priestly families established by David; from him descended Zechariah, father of John the Baptist (1 Chron. 24:10; Luke 1:5).
6. One of the priests who signed with Nehemiah the renewal of the Covenant (Neh. 10:7).
7. Biblical women: Abia, wife of Hezron, a descendant of Judah, mother of Ashhur (1 Chron. 2:24). – Wife of Ahaz and mother of Hezekiah, king of Judah (2 Kings 18:2 is called Abi, a contracted form; 2 Chron. 29:1).
