2 Chronicles 14

The Reign of Asa in Judah

1 And Abijah slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city of David. And Asa his son became king in his place. In his days the land was at rest ten years.

2 Asa did that which [was] good and right in the eyes of Yahweh his God.

3 He removed the foreign altars and high places, broke down the stone pillars, and cut down the Asherahs.

4 And he commanded Judah to seek Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, and to keep the law and the commandment.

5 And he removed the high places and the incense stands from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom had rest under him.

6 And he built fortified cities in Judah, for the land was at rest. Under him there was no war in those years, for Yahweh had given rest to him.

7 And he said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and surround [them with] walls, towers, gates, and bars while the land [is] before us, because we have sought Yahweh our God. We have sought and he has given rest to us on every side." So they built and had success.

8 And Asa had an army [of] three hundred thousand from Judah, bearing shields and spears, and two hundred and eighty thousand from Benjamin [who] carried shields and drew bows. All of these [were] mighty warriors of strength.

9 Zerah the Cushite came out against them with an army of a thousand thousands and three hundred chariots. And he came to Mareshah.

10 And Asa went out before him, and a battle was put in order in the valley of Zepah at Mareshah.

11 Then Asa cried out to Yahweh his God. And he said, "O Yahweh, there is none with you to help between the great and the powerless. Help us, O Yahweh our God, for we rely upon you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Yahweh, you [are] our God! Let no man prevail against you!"

12 So Yahweh defeated the Cushites before Asa and before Judah, and the Cushites fled.

13 Then Asa and the army with him pursued them to Gerar. And [many] from the Cushites fell, for they had no deliverance, for they were shattered before Yahweh and before his army. And they carried away much war booty.

14 And they struck all the cities around Gerar, for the fear of Yahweh was upon them. And they plundered all the cities, for there was much plunder in them.

15 And they also struck the tents of the herdsmen and carried away many sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 14 Commentary

Chapter 14

Asa's piety, He strengthens his kingdom.

- 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. 2 Chronicles 14:1-15 in the English Bible is 13:23-14:14 in the Hebrew Bible
• [b]. Or "fathers"
• [c]. Or "fathers"
• [d]. Or "before"
• [e]. Or "With"
• [f]. Or "people"

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 14

This chapter relates the death of Abijah, and the succession of Asa in his stead, 2Ch 14:1, gives a good character of the latter for his reformation in religion, and for the care he took for the safety and protection of his subjects, 2Ch 14:2-8, and an account is given of a large army of Ethiopians that came against him, over whom he crying to the Lord, and trusting in him, by his help obtained a complete victory, 2Ch 14:9-15.