2 Chronicles 14:6

6 He built fortifications for the cities of Judah during this time, and for several years there was no war, because the Lord gave him peace.

2 Chronicles 14:6 Meaning and Commentary

2 Chronicles 14:6

And he built fenced cities in Judah
For his defence against the kingdom of Israel and other nations, as Rehoboam had done before him; and which might have been demolished by Shishak king of Egypt, when he took them, ( 2 Chronicles 11:5-12 ) ( 12:4 )

for the land had rest;
according to the Targum, the land of Israel rested, and gave no disturbance to the kingdom of Judah, not having recovered the blow given them by Abijah; but it is rather to be understood of the land of Judah, which, as it did not attempt the reduction of the ten tribes, so it was neither attacked by them, nor any other enemy: and he had no war in those years; in the ten years mentioned, ( 2 Chronicles 14:1 ) , neither with Israel nor any other nation: because the Lord had given him rest; that he might be at leisure to do the above things; all rest is from the Lord, civil, spiritual, and eternal.

2 Chronicles 14:6 In-Context

4 He commanded the people of Judah to do the will of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his teachings and commands.

5 Because he abolished the pagan places of worship and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah, the kingdom was at peace under his rule.

6 He built fortifications for the cities of Judah during this time, and for several years there was no war, because the Lord gave him peace.

7 He told the people of Judah, "Let us fortify the cities by building walls and towers, and gates that can be shut and barred. We have control of the land because we have done the will of the Lord our God. He has protected us and given us security on every side." And so they built and prospered.

8 King Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah, armed with shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin, armed with shields and bows. All of them were brave, well-trained men.