“He [King Abijam] walked in all the sins that his father did before him, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his [fore]father. Nevertheless, for David’s sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, setting up his son after him, and establishing Jerusalem” (1 Kings 15:3-4)
The books of Kings and Chronicles record what happened to David’s royal family line over the following centuries. The behavior of his descendants is evaluated against David’s example. Some kings “walk in sin”, others “do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, as [their] father David had done”.
Every individual, including every Israelite king, is accountable for his own behavior. In the end, it is his personal relationship with the Lord God that will decide his eternal destination: whether to spend eternity in God’s presence or in hell. However, today’s verses show that God keeps his promise to David even though king Abijam lives in sin. Abijam is successful and receives God’s blessing despite his own behavior. This is a special example of God’s promise in the Ten Commandments to show “steadfast love to thousands [or: to the thousandth generation] of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:6).
King Abijam received God’s blessing. Not that he deserved to; it’s an expression of God’s grace and faithfulness. Can you think of some blessings that you did not deserve, but have received nonetheless?