2 Chronicles 14

1 So Abijah slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city of David. His son Asa succeeded him. In his days the land had rest for ten years.

2 Asa did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God.

3 He took away the foreign altars and the high places, broke down the pillars, hewed down the sacred poles,

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

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

6 He built fortified cities in Judah while the land had rest. He had no war in those years, for the Lord gave him peace.

7 He said to Judah, "Let 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 peace on every side." So they built and prospered.

8 Asa had an army of three hundred thousand from Judah, armed with large shields and spears, and two hundred eighty thousand troops from Benjamin who carried shields and drew bows; all these were mighty warriors.

9 Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and came as far as Mareshah.

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

11 Asa cried to the Lord his God, "O Lord, there is no difference for you between helping the mighty and the weak. 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; let no mortal prevail against you."

12 So the Lord defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled.

13 Asa and the army with him pursued them as far as Gerar, and the Ethiopians fell until no one remained alive; for they were broken before the Lord and his army. The people of Judah carried away a great quantity of booty.

14 They defeated all the cities around Gerar, for the fear of the Lord was on them. They plundered all the cities; for there was much plunder in them.

15 They also attacked the tents of those who had livestock, and carried away sheep and goats in abundance, 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]. Ch 13.23 in Heb
• [b]. Ch 14.1 in Heb
• [c]. Heb [Asherim]
• [d]. Or [Nubian]; Heb [Cushite]
• [e]. Or [Nubians]; Heb [Cushites]
• [f]. Or [Nubians]; Heb [Cushites]
• [g]. Or [Nubians]; Heb [Cushites]
• [h]. Heb [They]
• [i]. Meaning of Heb uncertain

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.