2 Chronicles 15
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CHAPTER 15
Asa’s Reform (15:1–19)
(1 Kings 15:13–15)
1–2 Sometime after the victory over the Cushites, the prophet Azariah, mentioned only herein Scripture,gave prophetic words of encouragement to Asa and to the people of Judah and Benjamin: “The LORD is with you when you are with him” (verse 2). Then Azariah repeated the words that David had spoken to his son Solomon shortly before Solomon was anointed king (see 1 Chronicles 28:9–10 and comment).
3–7 Then Azariah spoke of a time when Israel was without the true God . . . and without the law (verse 3); he was speaking of the period of the judges (Judges 21:25). But even during that dark period of Israel’s history, if the people sought the Lord, He would be found by them and come to their rescue (Judges 2:18). So Azariah told Asa,
“. . . be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded” (verse 7). Believers must persevere to the end; they must keep the faith; if they do, they will receive their reward (see Mark 13:13; Galatians 6:9; 2 Timothy 4:7–8).
8 Azariah’s words prompted Asa to continue the reforms he had begun earlier (2 Chronicles 14:2–5); this time his reforms were carried out not only in Judah but also in the hills of Ephraim—that is, in the part of Israel that Asa had captured earlier.
9–15 Then Asa assembled the people of Judah, as well as those faithful Israelites who had moved south to Judah earlier (2 Chronicles 11:13–17). And Asa and the people renewed their covenant with God, just as past leaders had done and future leaders would do again in the years ahead (see 2 Kings 23:1–3; 2 Chronicles 34:29–33 and comment).
As part of their covenant commitment, the people agreed to seek the LORD ... with all their heart and soul (verse 12). Those who refused to seek the Lord were to be put to death (see Deuteronomy 13:1218; 17:2–7 and comments). Because the people sought God with all their heart, He was found by them and He gave them rest on every side (verse 15). Jeremiah said: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13). Those words continue to be addressed to every human being alive today.
16–19 See 1 Kings 15:9–15 and comment.