This speech of Abijah is very animated and powerful. He points out the iniquity of Jeroboam, who as a servant had stood up in open rebellion against his Lord. He bids the people take notice what vain, light, and trifling men were his supporters. He next adverts to the awful state in which he and his army stood, in respect to religion. He had thrown off the true religion of the God of Israel, and had set up calves for gods, and consecrated unhallowed men for his priests. As if he had said, Is it possible that any among you can conceive that such a cause can prosper?
2 Chronicles 13:6-9
6 Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord.
7 And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.
8 And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.
9 Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecratea himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.