2 Chronicles 14

Asa Reigns in Judah

1 Then Abijah rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And his son Asa reigned in his place, and in his days the land was at peace for ten years. ¹

2 And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.

3 He removed the foreign altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and chopped down the Asherah poles.

4 He commanded the people of Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandments.

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

6 Because the land was at peace, Asa built fortified cities in Judah. In those days no one made war with him, because the LORD had given him rest.

7 So he said to the people of Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors 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 Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin bearing small shields and drawing the bow. All these were mighty men of valor.

9 Then Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of 1,000,000 men ^[a] and 300 chariots, and they advanced as far as Mareshah.

10 So Asa marched out against him and lined up in battle formation in the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah. ^[b]

11 Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You.”

12 So the LORD struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah, and the Cushites fled.

13 Then Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar. The Cushites fell and could not recover, for they were crushed before the LORD and His army. So the people of Judah carried off a great amount of plunder

14 and attacked all the cities around Gerar, because the terror of the LORD had fallen upon them. They plundered all the cities, since there was much plunder there.

15 They also attacked the tents of the herdsmen and carried off 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.

Cross References

• 1. (1 Kings 15:9–15)

Footnotes

• [a] Or an army of thousands and thousands; Hebrew an army of a thousand thousands
• [b] Or the valley north of Mareshah

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.