ABIA. - Name of various biblical figures (Hebr. Abiyām in Kings, 'Abiyāhu and 'Abiyāh in Chronicles, 'Yahweh is father').
1. Son of Rehoboam and his successor on the throne of Judah, he reigned three years - exactly two years and a few months - from 912 to 910 B.C. His mother was Maacah; he had 27 brothers and 60 sisters on his father's side, but only three brothers also on his mother's side (II Chron. 11:20 ff.). Rehoboam's preference for A. is a consequence of the king's predilection for Maacah. To prevent the brothers from casting a shadow over the chosen one, he gave each of them command of a fortress (ibid. 11:21-23). A. enjoyed himself in the palace of Jerusalem and allowed idolatry to spread. Since "his heart was not perfect before Yahweh," he would have been exterminated had God not shown him mercy for the promises made to David (I Kings 15:3 ff.).
The war, which had been smoldering since the beginning of Israel's separation from Judah, flared up under A., and the clash was tremendous. Before giving battle to Jeroboam, A. harangued the opposing ranks, affirming the inalienability of the rights of the house of David to reign over all the people of God (II Chron. 13:4-12). On the occasion of this war, A. made a vow, later fulfilled by Asa his son with rich gifts to the temple (I Kings 15:15; II Chron. 13:16-19). A. had 14 wives, 22 sons and 16 daughters. At his death, he was buried in the city of David.
Salvatore Garofalo
2. Son of Jeroboam I king of Israel, who died at an unspecified 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 old prophet Ahijah (v.) in Shiloh. The latter, though blind, recognized her, foretold the death of her son (at the moment when the mother would cross the threshold of the palace, as indeed happened) and the destruction of his family and of the kingdom of Israel. A. was buried amid the weeping of the people (I Kings 14:1-18).
3. One of the sons of Becher son of Benjamin (I Chron. 7:8).
4. Second son of Samuel, who associated him with his brother Joel in administering justice; but he gave a very poor account of himself and the people demanded a king (I Sam. 8:2; I Chron. 6:28).
5. Descendant of Eleazar son of Aaron, head of the 8th of the 24 priestly families established by David; from him descended Zechariah, father of John the Baptist (I 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: A. wife of Hezron grandson of Judah, mother of Ashhur (I Chron. 2:24)
Wife of Ahaz and mother of Hezekiah, king of Judah (II Kings 18:2 she is called Abi: contracted form; II Chron. 29:1).