1 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jer o boam (Nebat’s son), Abijam began to rule Judah.
2 He ruled for three years in Jerusalem. His mother was named Maacah, daughter of Abishalom.
3 He followed the sinful example his father had set and wasn’t committed to the Lord his God as his ancestor David had been.
4 But for David’s sake the Lord his God made Abijam a lamp in Jerusalem. He appointed David’s descendant to rule after him and protected Jerusalem.