2 Chronicles 14

Asa Succeeds Abijah in Judah

1 ¹So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David, and his son Asa became king in his place. The land was undisturbed for ten years during his days.

2 Asa did good and right in the sight of the LORD his God,

3 for he removed ²the foreign altars and ³high places, tore down the sacred pillars, cut down the ⁴Asherim,

4 and commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers and to observe the law and the commandment.

5 He also removed the high places and the ⁵incense altars from all the cities of Judah. And the kingdom was undisturbed under him.

6 ⁶He built fortified cities in Judah, since the land was undisturbed, and there was no one at war with him during those years, ⁷because the LORD had given him rest.

7 For he said to Judah, "⁸Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours 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 Now Asa had an army of ⁹ 300,000 * * from Judah, bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 * * from Benjamin, bearing shields and wielding bows; all of them were valiant warriors.

9 Now Zerah the Ethiopian ¹⁰came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 * chariots, and he came to ¹¹Mareshah.

10 So Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up in battle formation in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.

11 Then Asa ¹²called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, ¹³for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You."

12 So ¹⁴the LORD routed the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled.

13 Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as ¹⁵Gerar; and so many Ethiopians fell that they could not recover, for they were shattered before the LORD and before His army. And they carried away very much plunder.

14 They destroyed all the cities around Gerar, ¹⁶for the dread of the LORD had fallen on them; and they despoiled all the cities, for there was much plunder in them.

15 They also struck down those who owned livestock, and they carried away large numbers of 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.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Kings 15:8
• 2. Deuteronomy 7:5
• 3. 1 Kings 15:12-14
• 4. Exodus 34:13
• 5. 2 Chronicles 34:4, 7
• 6. 2 Chronicles 11:5
• 7. 2 Chronicles 15:15
• 8. 2 Chronicles 8:5
• 9. 2 Chronicles 13:3
• 10. 2 Chronicles 12:2, 3; 2 Chronicles 16:8
• 11. 2 Chronicles 11:8
• 12. 2 Chronicles 13:14
• 13. 2 Chronicles 13:18
• 14. 2 Chronicles 13:15
• 15. Genesis 10:19
• 16. 2 Chronicles 17:10

Footnotes

• [a]. Ch 13:23 in Heb
• [b]. Ch 14:1 in Heb
• [c]. I.e. wooden symbols of a female deity
• [d]. Lit "there was not with him war"
• [e]. Lit "before us"
• [f]. Lit "before him"
• [g]. Lit "struck"
• [h]. Or "there was none left alive"
• [i]. Lit "smote"
• [j]. Lit "tents of livestock"

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.