2 Chronicles - Chapter 14

2 Chronicles 14.1 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. 2 Chronicles 14.2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God: 2 Chronicles 14.3 For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: 2 Chronicles 14.4 And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. 2 Chronicles 14.5 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. 2 Chronicles 14.6 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. 2 Chronicles 14.7 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. 2 Chronicles 14.8 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. 2 Chronicles 14.9 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah. 2 Chronicles 14.10 Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 2 Chronicles 14.11 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 no man prevail against thee. 2 Chronicles 14.12 So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. 2 Chronicles 14.13 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. 2 Chronicles 14.14 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. 2 Chronicles 14.15 They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles : Chapter 14

Reflections on the Reign of Asa in 2 Chronicles 14 Chapter 14 of the book of 2 Chronicles marks the beginning of the reign of Asa, a pious king who successfully reformed his kingdom. This inspiring text reveals Asa's efforts to purify the cult, strengthen Judah's defenses, and his unwavering trust in God in the face of the Ethiopian invasion. The central themes of this chapter include the pursuit of spiritual purity, wise preparation, and dependence on God in times of danger.

Uplifting Themes and Bible Passages

Let's reflect together on five Bible passages that illustrate the uplifting themes of this foundational chapter.

Psalm 20:7

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." This psalm resonates deeply with Asa's attitude, as shown in 2 Chronicles 14:11, where he places his trust in God in the face of a numerically superior army.

Deuteronomy 7:5

"Do this to them: demolish their altars, break in pieces their sacred pillars, cut down their sacred poles, and burn their idols." This command from Deuteronomy is carried out by Asa in 2 Chronicles 14:3-5, where he works to eliminate idolatrous altars and sacred pillars, thus purifying worship in Judah.

1 Samuel 17:45

"But David said to the Philistine, 'You come against me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'" David's trust in God in the face of Goliath is echoed in Asa's faith when he confronts the Ethiopian army, as recounted in the events of 2 Chronicles 14.

Proverbs 21:31

"The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the Lord gives victory." This proverb summarizes the key lesson we learn from Asa's victory over the Ethiopians in 2 Chronicles 14, reminding us that true victory comes from God, not from military force alone.

Isaiah 31:1

"Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the strength of their horsemen, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek help from the Lord!" This verse highlights the contrast between the search for human help and Asa's faith in turning to the Lord in 2 Chronicles 14.

Meditating on these passages, we are invited to strengthen our faith and dependence on God, just as Asa did, by seeking to purify our own worship and trusting in divine power in times of trial.