234 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

Grandfather. There was war between Rehoboam and
Jeroboam as long as the former lived, but it was likely
mere skirmishing, and probably was confined to those
who lived near the borders. The successor of Rehoboam
fought a great battle with Jeroboam.

George. Who was he then, grandfather ; let us hear
about it ?

Grandfather. Rehoboam reigned eighteen years, and
was succeeded by his son Abijah, an active and ener-
getic prince. We are not told who began the war, but
Abijah set the battle in array with an army of four hun-
dred thousand valiant men of war.

George. That was a large army.

Grandfather. It was ; but Jeroboam’s was exactly
twice as large, so that the two sides were very unequal
as to numbers. Before the battle began Abijah stood
on a hill, and made an address to Jeroboam and his
soldiers; but the speech must have tended greatly to
encourage the men of Judah and Benjamin. He argued
that their cause was the just one, and that the Lord
was with them, and with them only, because the
subjects of Jeroboam had forsaken Gos and served
them that were no gods. “And behold,” exclaimed
Abijah to his rebellious and unbelieving brethren, “ God
himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with
sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. Oh
children of Israel, fight ye not against the Lord God of
your fathers, for ye shall not prosper.” This speech of
Abijah would not have been easily answered. Jeroboam