Rehoboam’s son Abijam (or, “Abijah”) began to rule the southern kingdom of Judah around 913 B.C., which corresponded to the eighteenth year of Jeroboam’s rule in the northern kingdom. Regarding the spelling of the name Abijam, see the comments on 1 Kgs 14.31. Here translators are advised to continue the use of the more commonly known form of the name “Abijah.” Since this is the beginning of a new section and a new chapter, some common language translations identify Jeroboam as “king of Israel” (so Good News Translation, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente).

Since the Hebrew text has referred to Jeroboam as the son of Nebat several times in previous chapters, Good News Translation omits the words the son of Nebat here. But since a new section and a new chapter begin here, translators may wish to follow the form of the Hebrew in preserving the more complete identification King Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .