1 Kings 15:3
New International Version
He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his forefather had been.

New Living Translation
He committed the same sins as his father before him, and he was not faithful to the LORD his God, as his ancestor David had been.

English Standard Version
And he 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 father.

Berean Standard Bible
And Abijam walked in all the sins that his father before him had committed, and his heart was not as fully devoted to the LORD his God as the heart of David his forefather had been.

King James Bible
And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.

New King James Version
And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David.

New American Standard Bible
He walked in all the sins of his father which he had committed before him; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, like the heart of his father David.

NASB 1995
He walked in all the sins of his father which he had committed before him; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, like the heart of his father David.

NASB 1977
And he walked in all the sins of his father which he had committed before him; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, like the heart of his father David.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he walked in all the sins of his father which he had committed before him; and his heart was not wholly devoted to Yahweh his God, like the heart of his father David.

Amplified Bible
He walked in all the sins [of idol worship] that his father [Rehoboam] committed before him; and his heart was not entirely devoted to the LORD his God, like the heart of his father (forefather) David.

Christian Standard Bible
Abijam walked in all the sins his father before him had committed, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God as his ancestor David had been.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Abijam walked in all the sins his father before him had committed, and he was not completely devoted to the LORD his God as his ancestor David had been.

American Standard Version
And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; and his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God, as the heart of David his father.

Contemporary English Version
Abijam did not truly obey the LORD his God as his ancestor David had done. Instead, he was sinful just like his father Rehoboam.

English Revised Version
And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He followed the sinful example his father had set and wasn't committed to the LORD his God as his ancestor David had been.

Good News Translation
He committed the same sins as his father and was not completely loyal to the LORD his God, as his great-grandfather David had been.

International Standard Version
He practiced the same sins that his father committed before he was born. Unlike his ancestor David, his heart never became devoted to the LORD his God.

Majority Standard Bible
And Abijam walked in all the sins that his father before him had committed, and his heart was not as fully devoted to the LORD his God as the heart of David his forefather had been.

NET Bible
He followed all the sinful practices of his father before him. He was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his ancestor David had been.

New Heart English Bible
He walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.

World English Bible
He walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; and his heart was not perfect with Yahweh his God, as the heart of David his father.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he walks in all the sins of his father that he did before him, and his heart has not been perfect with his God YHWH, as the heart of his father David;

Young's Literal Translation
and he walketh in all the sins of his father, that he did before him, and his heart hath not been perfect with Jehovah his God, as the heart of David his father;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he went in all the sins of his father which he did before him: and his heart was not perfect with Jehovah as the heart of David his father.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: end his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him. Neither was his heart perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David, his father.

New American Bible
He followed all the sins his father had committed before him, and his heart was not entirely with the LORD, his God, as was the heart of David his father.

New Revised Standard Version
He committed all the sins that his father did before him; his heart was not true to the LORD his God, like the heart of his father David.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had committed before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, like the heart of David his father.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he walked in all the sins of his father that he did before him, and his heart was not perfect with LORD JEHOVAH his God, as was the heart of David his father.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; and his heart was not whole with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he walked in the sins of his father which he wrought in his presence, and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abijam Reigns in Judah
2and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom. 3And Abijam walked in all the sins that his father before him had committed, and his heart was not as fully devoted to the LORD his God as the heart of David his forefather had been. 4Nevertheless, for the sake of David, the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and to make Jerusalem strong.…

Cross References
1 Kings 11:4
For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been.

1 Kings 11:6
So Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD; unlike his father David, he did not follow the LORD completely.

1 Kings 11:33
For they have forsaken Me to worship Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in My ways, nor done what is right in My eyes, nor kept My statutes and judgments, as Solomon’s father David did.

2 Chronicles 12:14
And Rehoboam did evil because he did not set his heart to seek the LORD.

2 Chronicles 11:17
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years, because they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon.

2 Chronicles 15:17
The high places were not removed from Israel, but Asa’s heart was fully devoted all his days.

2 Chronicles 20:32-33
And Jehoshaphat walked in the way of his father Asa and did not turn away from it; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. / The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 21:6
And Jehoram walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done. For he married a daughter of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 22:3-4
Ahaziah also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in wickedness. / And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for to his destruction they were his counselors after the death of his father.

2 Chronicles 28:1
Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. And unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD.

2 Kings 14:3
And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not as his father David had done. He did everything as his father Joash had done.

2 Kings 15:3-4
And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done. / Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.

2 Kings 16:2-3
Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. And unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD his God. / Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

2 Kings 17:19
and even Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but lived according to the customs Israel had introduced.

2 Kings 21:2
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD by following the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.


Treasury of Scripture

And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.

all the sins

1 Kings 14:21,22
And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess…

and his heart

1 Kings 3:14
And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

1 Kings 11:4,33
For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father…

2 Kings 20:3
I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

Jump to Previous
Committed Completely David Devoted Forefather Fully Heart Perfect Sins True. Walked Walketh Whole Wholly
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Committed Completely David Devoted Forefather Fully Heart Perfect Sins True. Walked Walketh Whole Wholly
1 Kings 15
1. Abijam's wicked reign
7. Asa succeeds him
9. Asa's good reign
16. The war between Baasha and him causes him to make a league with Ben-Hadad
23. Jehoshaphat succeeds Asa
25. Nadab's wicked reign
27. Baasha conspiring against him, executes Ahijah's prophecy
31. Nadab's acts and death
33. Baasha's wicked reign














And Abijam walked in all the sins that his father before him had committed
Abijam, also known as Abijah, was the son of Rehoboam and the grandson of Solomon. His reign as king of Judah is characterized by a continuation of the sinful practices initiated by his father, Rehoboam. These sins likely included idolatry and the worship of foreign gods, which were prevalent in Judah during this period. The phrase indicates a generational pattern of disobedience to God's commandments, highlighting the influence of parental example on a child's spiritual path. This pattern of sin is reminiscent of the warnings given in the Mosaic Law about the consequences of idolatry and disobedience (Exodus 20:5).

and his heart was not as fully devoted to the LORD his God
The heart, in biblical terms, often represents the center of one's being, including emotions, will, and intellect. Abijam's heart is described as not fully devoted, suggesting a lack of complete commitment and sincerity in his relationship with God. This partial devotion contrasts with the wholeheartedness that God desires from His followers, as seen in the Shema, a central declaration of faith in Deuteronomy 6:5, which calls for loving God with all one's heart, soul, and strength.

as the heart of David his forefather had been
David, the forefather of Abijam, is often held as the standard for kingship in Israel due to his deep devotion and repentance before God, despite his own failings. David's heart is described as being "after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14), indicating a sincere and earnest pursuit of God's will. This comparison underscores the expectation for the kings of Judah to emulate David's faithfulness and integrity. David's legacy serves as a benchmark for evaluating the spiritual and moral conduct of his descendants, emphasizing the importance of a genuine relationship with God over mere ritualistic observance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Abijam
Also known as Abijah, he was the king of Judah and the son of Rehoboam. His reign was marked by a continuation of the sinful practices of his father.

2. Rehoboam
The father of Abijam and the son of Solomon, Rehoboam's reign saw the division of the united kingdom of Israel into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah.

3. David
The forefather of Abijam, David is often referenced as a standard of devotion to God, despite his own failings. His heart was described as fully devoted to the LORD.

4. Judah
The southern kingdom over which Abijam reigned. It was one of the two kingdoms formed after the division of Israel.

5. Sins of the Fathers
This phrase refers to the continuation of sinful practices from one generation to the next, highlighting the influence of parental behavior on descendants.
Teaching Points
Generational Influence
The actions and spiritual state of parents can significantly influence their children. It is crucial to model a life of faithfulness to God for future generations.

Heart Devotion
God desires a heart that is fully devoted to Him. Abijam's failure to emulate David's devotion serves as a warning to examine our own hearts and ensure our commitment to God is genuine.

Consequences of Sin
The continuation of sin can lead to spiritual decline and separation from God. It is important to break the cycle of sin through repentance and seeking God's guidance.

Legacy of Faith
David's legacy as a man after God's own heart serves as a reminder that our actions and devotion can leave a lasting impact on future generations.

Repentance and Renewal
Despite past failures, there is always an opportunity for repentance and renewal. Turning back to God can restore our relationship with Him and set a new course for our lives.(3) Walked in all the sins of his father.--This adoption of the idolatries of Rehoboam did not prevent Abijam (see 2Chronicles 13:4-12) from representing himself as the champion of the Temple and the priesthood against the rival worship of Jeroboam, and dedicating treasures--perhaps the spoils of his victory--in the house of the Lord. From the qualified phrase "his heart was not perfect before God," however, it may be inferred that, like Solomon and Rehoboam, he professed to worship Jehovah only as the supreme God of his Pantheon; and it is a curious irony of circumstance that he should be recorded as inveighing against the degradation of His worship in Israel, while he himself countenanced or connived at the worse sin of the worship of rival gods in Judah.

Verse 3. - And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him [sins, i.e., from the theocratic standpoint. See 1 Kings 14:22, 25. It does not appear that either Abijah or Rehoboam was a vicious man, and from his pious language on Mount Zemaraim (2 Chronicles 13:10-12) we should certainly have thought that Abijah was a god-fearing prince. But ver. 13 proves that he had sanctioned idolatry, and this was no doubt his principal sin, as the next words explain]: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord and his God, as the heart of David his father [the words used of Solomon. 1 Kings 2:4].

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Abijam walked
וַיֵּ֕לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

in all
בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the sins
חַטֹּ֥אות (ḥaṭ·ṭō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

that his father
אָבִ֖יו (’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

before him
לְפָנָ֑יו (lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

had committed,
עָשָׂ֣ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

and his heart
לְבָב֤וֹ (lə·ḇā·ḇōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

was
הָיָ֨ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

not
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

as fully devoted
שָׁלֵם֙ (šā·lêm)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 8003: Complete, safe, at peace

to
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

his God
אֱלֹהָ֔יו (’ĕ·lō·hāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

as the heart
כִּלְבַ֖ב (kil·ḇaḇ)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

of David
דָּוִ֥ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

his forefather [had been].
אָבִֽיו׃ (’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father


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OT History: 1 Kings 15:3 He walked in all the sins (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 15:2
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