2 Chronicles Chapter 14
1 So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in David's city; and Asa his son reigned in his place. In his days, the land was quiet ten years.
2 Asa did that which was good and right in the LORD his God's eyes;
3 for he took away the foreign altars and the high places, broke down the pillars, cut down the Asherah poles,
4 and commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to obey his law and command.
5 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun images; and the kingdom was quiet before him.
6 He built fortified cities in Judah; for the land was quiet, and he had no war in those years, because the LORD had given him rest.
7 For he said to Judah, "Let's build these cities, and make walls around them, with towers, gates, and bars. The land is yet before us, because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought him, and he has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered.
8 Asa had an army of three hundred thousand out of Judah who bore bucklers and spears, and two hundred and eighty thousand out of Benjamin who bore shields and drew bows. All these were mighty men of valour.
9 Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million troops and three hundred chariots, and he came to Mareshah.
10 Then Asa went out to meet him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
11 Asa cried to the LORD his God, and said, "LORD, there is no one besides you to help, between the mighty and him who has no strength. Help us, LORD our God; for we rely on you, and in your name are we come against this multitude. LORD, you are our God. Don't let man prevail against you."
12 So the LORD struck the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.
13 Asa and the people who were with him pursued them to Gerar: and so many of the Ethiopians fell that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD and before his army; and they carried away very much booty.
14 They struck all the cities around Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came on them, and they plundered all the cities; for there was much plunder in them.
15 They also struck the tents of livestock, and carried away sheep in abundance, and camels, and returned to Jerusalem.
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2 Chronicles Chapter 14 Guide
In Asa there was a break in the continuity of naughtiness which so singularly characterized the succession of kings. His was a long reign, and though not characterized by the pronounced reforms which obtained under future kings, it did give the nation some glimpses of a better order. He commenced by breaking down false worship so far as he was able, and as a result the land had "quiet before him." He took advantage of the peaceful years to build and wall the cities. In a time of peril resulting from the invasion of the Ethiopians, the king’s crv to God was answered by a signal deliverance.
How unfailingly the patience of God is made to appear in these records! The repetition of the fact in notes of exposition becomes almost monotonous. Yet, after all, is it not the monotony of the perfect music of those who with veiled faces chant the story of God's holiness and love? The condition of the chosen people as a whole at this time was terrible. Yet immediately man or nation returned to God with repentance and amendment, He responded with pardon and deliverance. There is a limit to His forbearance; but if this history teaches anything it is that the limit is set where by the act of the sinner, be that sinner man or nation, there is no possibility of return. God never ratifies the hardening of any heart until the hardness is absolute through the action of the sinner.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
2 Chronicles Chapter 14 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- Asa's piety, He strengthens his kingdom.
Verses 1-15
Asa aimed at pleasing God, and studied to approve himself to him. Happy those that walk by this rule, not to do that which is right in their own eyes, or in the eye of the world, but which is so in God's sight. We find by experience that it is good to seek the Lord; it gives us rest; while we pursue the world, we meet with nothing but vexation. Asa consulted with his people how to make a good use of the peace they enjoyed; and concluded with them that they must not be idle, nor secure. A formidable army of Ethiopians invaded Asa's kingdom. This evil came upon them, that their faith in God might be tried. Asa's prayer is short, but it is the real language of faith and expectation from God. When we go forth in God's name, we cannot but prosper, and all things work together for the good of those whom he favours.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.