# Overview 2 Chronicles Chapter 14 focuses on the reign of #Asa, the king of #Judah. After the death of his father #Abijah, Asa ascends to the throne and introduces a period of religious reform and peace in the land. He does what is good and right in the eyes of the #LORD by removing foreign altars and high places, breaking down sacred pillars, and cutting down wooden images. Asa commands #Judah to seek the LORD and to observe the law and the commandment. His leadership results in ten years of peace, during which he fortifies the cities, strengthens the army, and builds up the defenses of Judah, attributing their prosperity and security to their faithfulness to God. The chapter then describes a significant military challenge when #Zerah the Ethiopian comes against Judah with a vast army. Asa responds by relying on the LORD for deliverance, praying fervently for divine intervention. The LORD answers Asa’s prayer, granting Judah victory over the Ethiopians, who are defeated before the LORD and His army. This victory not only reinforces Judah's military strength but also results in great spoils, enriching the kingdom further. Asa’s reliance on God and the consequent triumph underscore the themes of faith and divine protection, illustrating the blessings that come with obedience and trust in God's power. ## Theological Insights 2 Chronicles 14 presents the reign of #Asa, king of #Judah, highlighting themes of divine reliance and covenantal faithfulness. Asa's leadership begins with a period of peace, attributed to his commitment to seeking the #LORD and purging the land of idolatry, aligning with the covenantal expectations outlined throughout the #OldTestament. This reflects the theological principle that obedience to God’s commandments brings peace and prosperity, a recurrent theme in the narratives of the kings of #Israel and #Judah. Asa’s reliance on God during the confrontation with the vast army of the #Ethiopians underscores the biblical theme of divine deliverance. His prayer, “LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty” (2 Chronicles 14:11), echoes the sentiments found in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 14]], where #Moses encourages the Israelites to trust in God for deliverance from the #Egyptians. This illustrates the theological truth that God is the ultimate source of strength and victory for His people. Furthermore, Asa's reforms and the removal of idols align with the Deuteronomic call for exclusive worship of the LORD, as seen in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 6]]. Asa's actions demonstrate a return to covenantal fidelity, emphasizing the importance of righteous leadership in guiding the nation towards spiritual restoration and blessings. The peaceful years during Asa’s reign are a testament to the blessings that follow when the leaders and people of Judah adhere to God's commandments. Overall, 2 Chronicles 14 exemplifies the biblical pattern of seeking God, trusting in His power, and the resultant peace and prosperity. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God’s covenant and reliance on His strength in times of trial. ## Thematic Connections ### Divine Peace and Prosperity In 2 Chronicles 14, the reign of #Asa is marked by a period of peace and rest granted by the #Lord. This theme of divine peace is reminiscent of the rest that God provides to those who seek Him, as seen in the promise given to #Israel in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 33|Exodus 33:14]], where God assures Moses of His presence and rest. The prosperity under Asa's rule echoes the blessings bestowed upon those who walk in obedience to God's commands, similar to the flourishing witnessed during the reign of #Solomon in [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 4]]. ### Reliance on God in Battle Asa’s reliance on the #Lord during the battle against the #Ethiopians highlights the theme of dependence on God for victory, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture. This connection can be drawn to the story of #David and #Goliath in [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 17]], where David attributes his victory to the Lord, rather than military might. Additionally, this theme is echoed in the story of #Jehoshaphat, Asa's descendant, who also sought the Lord's guidance in battle in [[2 Chronicles/2 Chronicles Chapter 20]]. ### Covenant Renewal and Religious Reforms The chapter emphasizes Asa’s commitment to religious reforms and the renewal of the covenant with the #Lord. This theme of covenant renewal is a recurring motif in Scripture, as seen in the reforms initiated by #Josiah in [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 23]] and the call to return to God during the ministry of #Samuel in [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 7]]. Asa's actions reflect the importance of returning to the foundational principles of faith and obedience to maintain God’s favor and blessing. ### Idolatry and Its Removal Asa's removal of foreign altars and idols underscores the biblical theme of idolatry and its incompatibility with the worship of the one true God. This theme is vividly portrayed in the #TenCommandments given to Moses in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 20]], where God commands exclusive worship. The efforts to eradicate idolatry align with the actions of other faithful leaders, such as #Hezekiah, who also purged the land of idolatrous practices in [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 18]]. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Rest and Peace of the Land In [[2 Chronicles/2 Chronicles Chapter 14]], King #Asa experiences a period of rest and peace in #Judah, which fulfills the promise of peace associated with obedience to God’s covenant. This period of rest is a fulfillment of the promises seen in [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 26|Leviticus 26:6]], where God promises peace in the land to those who follow His statutes and keep His commandments. The peace Asa experiences is a testament to the faithfulness of God in keeping His covenant promises when His people are obedient. ### Victory Over the Ethiopians King Asa's victory over #Zerah the Ethiopian and his vast army (referenced in [[2 Chronicles/2 Chronicles Chapter 14]]) is an example of the fulfillment of God’s promise to fight for Israel against their enemies. This is reminiscent of the assurance given in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 28|Deuteronomy 28:7]], where God promises that enemies who rise against Israel will be defeated before them. Asa's reliance on God and the subsequent victory reflects the truth of this promise and serves as a reminder of God’s power and faithfulness. ### The Renewal of the Covenant The religious reforms initiated by King Asa, including the removal of foreign altars and the renewal of the covenant with God, echo the prophetic calls to return to God found throughout the scriptures. This aligns with the prophetic theme of returning to God in passages like [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 4|Jeremiah 4:1-2]], where God promises restoration and blessing upon repentance. Asa's actions in renewing the covenant demonstrate a fulfillment of the call for renewal and faithfulness to God’s laws. ## Verses - **2 Chronicles 14:1** - "When Abijah died, he was buried in the City of David. Then his son Asa became the next king. There was peace in the land for ten years." - **2 Chronicles 14:2** - "Asa did what was pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord his God." - **2 Chronicles 14:3** - "He removed the foreign altars and the pagan shrines. He smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles." - **2 Chronicles 14:4** - "He commanded the people of Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his law and his commands." - **2 Chronicles 14:5** - "Asa also removed the pagan shrines, as well as the incense altars, from every one of Judah’s towns. So Asa’s kingdom enjoyed a period of peace." - **2 Chronicles 14:6** - "During those peaceful years, he was able to build up the fortified towns throughout Judah. No one tried to make war against him at this time, for the Lord was giving him rest from his enemies." - **2 Chronicles 14:7** - "'Let us build up these towns,' Asa told the people of Judah, 'and fortify them with walls, towers, gates, and bars. The land is still ours because we sought the Lord our God, and he has given us peace on every side.' So they went ahead with these projects and brought them to completion." - **2 Chronicles 14:8** - "King Asa had an army of 300,000 warriors from the tribe of Judah, armed with large shields and spears. He also had an army of 280,000 warriors from the tribe of Benjamin, armed with small shields and bows. Both armies were composed of well-trained fighting men." - **2 Chronicles 14:9** - "Once an Ethiopian named Zerah attacked Judah with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots. They advanced to the town of Mareshah," - **2 Chronicles 14:10** - "so Asa deployed his armies for battle in the valley north of Mareshah." - **2 Chronicles 14:11** - "Then Asa cried out to the Lord his God, 'O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O Lord, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!'" - **2 Chronicles 14:12** - "So the Lord defeated the Ethiopians in the presence of Asa and the army of Judah, and the enemy fled." - **2 Chronicles 14:13** - "Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar, and so many Ethiopians fell that they were unable to rally. They were destroyed by the Lord and his army, and the army of Judah carried off a vast amount of plunder." - **2 Chronicles 14:14** - "While they were at Gerar, they attacked all the towns in that area, and terror from the Lord came upon the people there. As a result, a vast amount of plunder was taken from these towns, too." - **2 Chronicles 14:15** - "They also attacked the camps of herdsmen and captured many sheep, goats, and camels before finally returning to Jerusalem." ### Cross-References by Chapter - **Asa** - See: [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 15]], [[2 Chronicles/2 Chronicles Chapter 15]] - **City of David** - See: [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 2]], [[2 Samuel/2 Samuel Chapter 5]] - **Asherah Poles** - See: [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 16]], [[Judges/Judges Chapter 3]] - **Ethiopian named Zerah** - See: [[2 Chronicles/2 Chronicles Chapter 16]]