Definition: But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 2 Chronicles 13:21. It’s a little surprising at first, but it tells us about the reign of King Abijah in ancient Israel. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it describes a very large family. "Abijah waxed mighty..." - This means King Abijah became very powerful and successful during his time on the throne. "...and married fourteen wives..." – He had a huge number of wives! That's a lot of people to manage. "...and begat twenty and two sons..." – This is the key part. He had 20 sons, and each of those 20 sons had 2 daughters. So, he had a total of 48 daughters! "...and sixteen daughters." - This adds to the sheer number. So, what's the big takeaway? It suggests a very large and prosperous family that Abijah ruled over. It’s not necessarily a happy or idyllic story – it highlights a significant amount of people and potential challenges for the king. Context is Important: This passage comes from a time when the Israelites were under a harsh and oppressive ruler named Jeroboam. The large family size could be seen as a sign of weakness or a reflection of the kingdom's problems. It’s a snapshot of a powerful king and his vast family. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this story might have been significant at the time? Discuss the potential symbolism behind it (e.g., the large family representing a kingdom)?