Chapters 13--16 cover the rule of Abijah and Asa. Abijah is also called Abijam in I Kings 15.
In the first twelve verses of chapter 13 the writer of Chronicles shows that true worship of the Lord was conducted in the Temple at Jerusalem. Then the great victory of Abijah over Jeroboam is described in verses 13-22.
Abijam was a wicked king and reigned only three years. His son Asa came to the throne and I Kings 15 records that he was a good king. Asa was a welcome change after all the years of evil rulers. He attempted to take away the awful sins established by Rehoboam, and under his leadership there was a period of rest and revival. He even had his mother removed from her position as queen because she was an idol worshiper. However, Asa's reign did not end as well as it had begun. He began to trust in men for protection and failed to trust the Lord. He used the Temple's wealth to hire Assyria to fight for him, and this ungodly alliance cost him dearly.
Chapter 16 records the death of Asa and, in chapter 17, Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead. Revival took place under Jehoshaphat's leadership and his growing power is recorded in the latter part of this chapter.
Jehoshaphat entered into an alliance with Ahab, the king of Israel, which proved to be a great mistake. The alliance was a serious compromise and blunder on the part of Jehoshaphat. He was rebuked by the prophet Jehu, and as a result of this rebuke Jehoshaphat restored judicial justice and priestly order in Judah.
