Who Was Abijah’s Mother?

Q

Recently, I read something I can’t seem to figure out. In 2 Chron 11:20 it says, “And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.” Also in 2 Chron 13:2 it says, He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.” What I don’t understand is who is the mother of Abijah, Michaiah the daughter of Uriel or Maachah the daughter of Absalom?

A

This is confusing, but maybe we can clarify it a little. In Hebrew the woman’s name is spelled Maachah in 2 Chron. 11:20 and Michaiah 2 chapters later in 13:2. Since there are no vowels in the Hebrew alphabet, the difference could be just a spelling issue.

Also, In Hebrew there’s no word for grand daughter. All of a man’s female descendants were called daughters. Absalom was David’s son and therefore three generations older than Abijah, so it’s likely that Abijah’s mother was the grand daughter of Absalom, and the daughter of Uriel.