II Chronicles 14: Asa's Reign: Faithfulness, Fortification, and Victory
So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.
And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God:
For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:
And commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the Lord had given him rest.
Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the Lord our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.
And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.
Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.
So the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.
And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the Lord, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.
And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the Lord came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.
II Chronicles 14:1-5 tells us of Asa's good reign. He did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God (II Chronicles 14:2). He aimed to please God and, in all his administrations, had a sincere regard to the divine will. He removed the altars of the strange gods, and the high places (II Chronicles 14:3). Though some of the kings of Judah removed the high places, yet they did not remove the altars of the strange gods. Asa, however, made thorough work and removed all that was offensive. He commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers (II Chronicles 14:4). It is not enough not to forsake God, but we must seek him. We must make it our business to obtain his favor and keep ourselves in his love. He prospered because he sought God. While he sought God, God made him to prosper (II Chronicles 14:5). Those that seek God are sure to find him a rich rewarder.
II Chronicles 14:6-8 gives an account of Asa fortifying his kingdom. He built fenced cities in Judah, for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years, because the Lord had given him rest (II Chronicles 14:6). The rest that the churches enjoy should be improved in making provision for the days of trouble. Asa strengthened himself and his kingdom, not by foreign alliances, but by the improvement of his own strength and resources. He had a mighty army, (II Chronicles 14:8). It is a great mercy to a kingdom to have a numerous, well-disciplined, and well-armed militia, ready to defend it against any invasion.
II Chronicles 14:9-15 recounts Asa's victory over Zerah the Ethiopian. When he was invaded by a formidable enemy, he bravely prepared for war. Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with a host of a thousand thousand (II Chronicles 14:9). Asa's force was considerable, but far inferior to that of the enemy. But Asa bravely drew up his army in battle array at Mareshah. In this great distress, Asa had recourse to God by faithful prayer (II Chronicles 14:11). He acknowledges God's sovereignty and power. It is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with those who have no power. He pleads his relation to God. We are thine; we are called by thy name and profess ourselves thy people. He depends upon God. Let not man prevail against thee. It is not for our honor, but for thine, that we hope to gain the victory. The prayer was heard, and God gave them victory. The Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa (II Chronicles 14:12). The invaders were routed, and there was a great spoil divided. They smote all the cities round about Gerar, for the fear of the Lord came upon them (II Chronicles 14:14). When God goes forth with an army, he can strike a terror upon the enemy.
II Chronicles 14 presents the reign of Asa, a king whose life exemplified faithfulness to God, strategic planning, and reliance on divine power. This chapter highlights Asa's commitment to reforming Judah, fortifying its defenses, and ultimately, experiencing victory through prayer when faced with overwhelming odds.
Asa's Early Reign and Reformation (II Chronicles 14:1-5)
Following the death of Abijah (II Chronicles 13:20-21), Asa ascended to the throne. The text emphasizes Asa's dedication to righteousness: "Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God" (II Chronicles 14:2). His reign marked a significant turning point for Judah, characterized by a deliberate effort to purge idolatry and restore true worship.
Asa took decisive action, removing the altars of foreign gods and the high places that had become sources of spiritual corruption (II Chronicles 14:3). Unlike some of his predecessors who only partially addressed the issue of high places, Asa made a thorough effort to eliminate all forms of idolatry. He commanded Judah "to seek the LORD God of their fathers" (II Chronicles 14:4), emphasizing that simply abandoning false gods was not enough; they must actively pursue a relationship with the true God. This seeking involved a commitment to obeying God's commands and living in accordance with His will. As a result, "He prospered because he sought God. While he sought God, God made him to prosper" (II Chronicles 14:5). This serves as a powerful reminder that those who diligently seek God will surely find Him a rich rewarder.
Fortifying the Kingdom During Times of Peace (II Chronicles 14:6-8)
The peace that Judah enjoyed under Asa's early reign was not taken for granted. "The land had rest, and he had no war in those years, because the Lord had given him rest" (II Chronicles 14:6). Recognizing that this period of tranquility was a gift from God, Asa wisely used it to strengthen the kingdom's defenses.
He built "fenced cities in Judah" (II Chronicles 14:6), strategically fortifying key locations. This proactive approach demonstrates prudence and foresight. Asa understood that times of peace should be used to prepare for potential future conflicts. He focused on improving the kingdom's internal strength and resources, rather than relying on foreign alliances. He built a mighty army (II Chronicles 14:8), emphasizing the importance of a well-equipped and disciplined military force for defense.
Victory Through Prayer: The Battle Against Zerah the Cushite (II Chronicles 14:9-15)
The years of peace eventually came to an end when Zerah the Cushite launched a massive invasion against Judah with "a host of a thousand thousand" (II Chronicles 14:9). This presented a formidable challenge, as Asa's army was significantly smaller. The battle took place at Mareshah, approximately twenty-five miles southwest of Jerusalem.
Faced with overwhelming odds, Asa turned to the Lord in fervent prayer (II Chronicles 14:11). His prayer reveals a deep understanding of God's sovereignty and power: "It is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with those who have no power." He acknowledged Judah's dependence on God, declaring, "We are thine." Asa's prayer was not just a plea for help, but a declaration of faith and trust in God's ability to deliver them. He understood that the victory would not come through military might, but through divine intervention: "Let not man prevail against thee."
God answered Asa's prayer in a powerful way: "The LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa" (II Chronicles 14:12). The Cushite army was routed, and Judah secured a decisive victory. The victory resulted in a great spoil divided. Moreover, "the fear of the LORD came upon" the cities surrounding Gerar (II Chronicles 14:14), demonstrating the far-reaching impact of God's power.
II Chronicles 14 serves as a powerful reminder that faithfulness, strategic planning, and reliance on God are essential for success. Asa's example encourages us to seek God diligently, prepare wisely for challenges, and trust in His power to deliver us in times of adversity.
So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.
And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God:
For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:
And commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the Lord had given him rest.
Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the Lord our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.
And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.
Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.
So the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.
And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the Lord, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.
And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the Lord came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.
II Chronicles 14:1-5 tells us of Asa's good reign. He did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God (II Chronicles 14:2). He aimed to please God and, in all his administrations, had a sincere regard to the divine will. He removed the altars of the strange gods, and the high places (II Chronicles 14:3). Though some of the kings of Judah removed the high places, yet they did not remove the altars of the strange gods. Asa, however, made thorough work and removed all that was offensive. He commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers (II Chronicles 14:4). It is not enough not to forsake God, but we must seek him. We must make it our business to obtain his favor and keep ourselves in his love. He prospered because he sought God. While he sought God, God made him to prosper (II Chronicles 14:5). Those that seek God are sure to find him a rich rewarder.
II Chronicles 14:6-8 gives an account of Asa fortifying his kingdom. He built fenced cities in Judah, for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years, because the Lord had given him rest (II Chronicles 14:6). The rest that the churches enjoy should be improved in making provision for the days of trouble. Asa strengthened himself and his kingdom, not by foreign alliances, but by the improvement of his own strength and resources. He had a mighty army, (II Chronicles 14:8). It is a great mercy to a kingdom to have a numerous, well-disciplined, and well-armed militia, ready to defend it against any invasion.
II Chronicles 14:9-15 recounts Asa's victory over Zerah the Ethiopian. When he was invaded by a formidable enemy, he bravely prepared for war. Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with a host of a thousand thousand (II Chronicles 14:9). Asa's force was considerable, but far inferior to that of the enemy. But Asa bravely drew up his army in battle array at Mareshah. In this great distress, Asa had recourse to God by faithful prayer (II Chronicles 14:11). He acknowledges God's sovereignty and power. It is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with those who have no power. He pleads his relation to God. We are thine; we are called by thy name and profess ourselves thy people. He depends upon God. Let not man prevail against thee. It is not for our honor, but for thine, that we hope to gain the victory. The prayer was heard, and God gave them victory. The Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa (II Chronicles 14:12). The invaders were routed, and there was a great spoil divided. They smote all the cities round about Gerar, for the fear of the Lord came upon them (II Chronicles 14:14). When God goes forth with an army, he can strike a terror upon the enemy.
II Chronicles 14 presents the reign of Asa, a king whose life exemplified faithfulness to God, strategic planning, and reliance on divine power. This chapter highlights Asa's commitment to reforming Judah, fortifying its defenses, and ultimately, experiencing victory through prayer when faced with overwhelming odds.
Asa's Early Reign and Reformation (II Chronicles 14:1-5)
Following the death of Abijah (II Chronicles 13:20-21), Asa ascended to the throne. The text emphasizes Asa's dedication to righteousness: "Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God" (II Chronicles 14:2). His reign marked a significant turning point for Judah, characterized by a deliberate effort to purge idolatry and restore true worship.
Asa took decisive action, removing the altars of foreign gods and the high places that had become sources of spiritual corruption (II Chronicles 14:3). Unlike some of his predecessors who only partially addressed the issue of high places, Asa made a thorough effort to eliminate all forms of idolatry. He commanded Judah "to seek the LORD God of their fathers" (II Chronicles 14:4), emphasizing that simply abandoning false gods was not enough; they must actively pursue a relationship with the true God. This seeking involved a commitment to obeying God's commands and living in accordance with His will. As a result, "He prospered because he sought God. While he sought God, God made him to prosper" (II Chronicles 14:5). This serves as a powerful reminder that those who diligently seek God will surely find Him a rich rewarder.
Fortifying the Kingdom During Times of Peace (II Chronicles 14:6-8)
The peace that Judah enjoyed under Asa's early reign was not taken for granted. "The land had rest, and he had no war in those years, because the Lord had given him rest" (II Chronicles 14:6). Recognizing that this period of tranquility was a gift from God, Asa wisely used it to strengthen the kingdom's defenses.
He built "fenced cities in Judah" (II Chronicles 14:6), strategically fortifying key locations. This proactive approach demonstrates prudence and foresight. Asa understood that times of peace should be used to prepare for potential future conflicts. He focused on improving the kingdom's internal strength and resources, rather than relying on foreign alliances. He built a mighty army (II Chronicles 14:8), emphasizing the importance of a well-equipped and disciplined military force for defense.
Victory Through Prayer: The Battle Against Zerah the Cushite (II Chronicles 14:9-15)
The years of peace eventually came to an end when Zerah the Cushite launched a massive invasion against Judah with "a host of a thousand thousand" (II Chronicles 14:9). This presented a formidable challenge, as Asa's army was significantly smaller. The battle took place at Mareshah, approximately twenty-five miles southwest of Jerusalem.
Faced with overwhelming odds, Asa turned to the Lord in fervent prayer (II Chronicles 14:11). His prayer reveals a deep understanding of God's sovereignty and power: "It is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with those who have no power." He acknowledged Judah's dependence on God, declaring, "We are thine." Asa's prayer was not just a plea for help, but a declaration of faith and trust in God's ability to deliver them. He understood that the victory would not come through military might, but through divine intervention: "Let not man prevail against thee."
God answered Asa's prayer in a powerful way: "The LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa" (II Chronicles 14:12). The Cushite army was routed, and Judah secured a decisive victory. The victory resulted in a great spoil divided. Moreover, "the fear of the LORD came upon" the cities surrounding Gerar (II Chronicles 14:14), demonstrating the far-reaching impact of God's power.
II Chronicles 14 serves as a powerful reminder that faithfulness, strategic planning, and reliance on God are essential for success. Asa's example encourages us to seek God diligently, prepare wisely for challenges, and trust in His power to deliver us in times of adversity.