And Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah as chief prince among his brothers: Abijah is identified as the son of Maacah, which means he was Rehoboam’s son. Contemporary English Version says Abijah was “their oldest son” since he is mentioned first in verse 20. According to 2 Chr 13.2, Abijah’s mother’s name was Micaiah, the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah (see the comments there). If the receptor language has a term or expression such as “crown prince” (Revised English Bible, An American Translation, Moffatt) for the son who is next in line to become king, that term may be used here to render chief prince.

For he intended to make him king: See 2 Chr 12.16. Rehoboam wanted Abijah to succeed him as king. The Hebrew does not have a word that corresponds to intended, but the context seems to require it. The Latin, which is followed here by Revised English Bible, has “planning to make him king.” Normally the oldest son would be next in line to become king. According to verse 19, Jeush was Rehoboam’s oldest son, but verses 21-22 explain why Abijah became the next king.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .