2 Chronicles 14

1 And Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David; and Asa, his son, reigned for him. In whose days the land rested in peace ten years (In whose days the land was at peace for ten years).
2 And Asa did that, that was good and pleasant in the sight of his God, (And Asa did what was good and pleasing before his God,)
3 and he destroyed the altars of strange worshipping, that is, of idolatry, and the high places, and brake altogether the images, and cutted down [the] maumet woods; (and he destroyed the altars of idolatry, and the hill shrines, and broke in pieces the sacred pillars, and cut down the idol groves, or the sacred poles;)
4 and he commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to do the law and all [the] commandments. (and he commanded the people of Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to obey the Law and all the commandments.)
5 And he took away from all the cities of Judah (the) altars and (the) temples of idols, and he reigned in peace.
6 And he builded strong cities in Judah; for he was in rest (for the land was at rest), and no battles rose (up) in his times, for the Lord gave him peace.
7 And Asa said to Judah, Build we [up] these cities, and (en)compass we them with walls (and surround we them with walls), and strengthen we them with towers, and gates, and locks, as long as all things be restful from battle; for we have sought the Lord God of our fathers, and he hath given to us rest by compass. Therefore they builded, and there was no hindering in the building.
8 And Asa had in his host three hundred thousand of (the) men of Judah bearing shields and spears; and of Benjamin, he had two hundred thousand and fourscore thousand of shield-bearers and of archers; all these were full strong men.
9 Forsooth Zerah of Ethiopia went out against them with his host (of) ten hundred thousand (men), and with three hundred chariots, and came unto Mareshah.
10 Certainly Asa went (out) against them, and (they) arrayed (the) battle array in the valley of Zephathah, which is beside Mareshah.
11 And Asa inwardly called (upon) the Lord God, and said, Lord, no diversity is with thee, whether thou help in few, either in many; our Lord God, help thou us, for we have trust in thee, and in thy name, and we came against this multitude; Lord, thou art our God, a man have not the mastery against thee. (And Asa inwardly called on the Lord God, and said, Lord, there is no difference for thee, whether thou help a few, or many; Lord our God, help thou us, for we have trust in thee, and we have gone out against this multitude in thy name; Lord, thou art our God, let no man have the mastery against thee.)
12 Therefore the Lord made afeared (the) Ethiopians before Asa and Judah, and (the) Ethiopians fled; (And so the Lord made the Ethiopians afraid of Asa and the people of Judah, and the Ethiopians fled;)
13 and Asa and his people, that was with him (who were with him), pursued them unto Gerar. And (the) Ethiopians felled down to (the) death, for they were all-broken by the Lord slaying (them), and by his host fighting (them). Then they took many spoils,
14 and they smote all the cities about Gerar; for great dread had assailed all men. And they spoiled the cities/And they rifled the cities, and bare away much prey; (and they struck all the cities about Gerar; for great fear had assailed all people. And they spoiled the cities/And they rifled the cities, and carried away much prey;)
15 and also they destroyed the folds of sheep, and they took multitude without number of sheep and of camels, and they turned again into Jerusalem. (and they also destroyed the sheepfolds, and they took away a multitude without number of sheep and camels, and 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.

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.

2 Chronicles 14 Commentaries

Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.