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2 Chronicles 16

World English Bible

WEB

1In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not allow anyone to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. 2Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of Yahweh’s house and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben Hadad king of Syria, who lived at Damascus, saying, 3“Let there be a treaty between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent you silver and gold. Go, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.” 4Ben Hadad listened to King Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they struck Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim, and all the storage cities of Naphtali. 5When Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah, and let his work cease. 6Then Asa the king took all Judah, and they carried away the stones and timber of Ramah, with which Baasha had built; and he built Geba and Mizpah with them. 7At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him, “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on Yahweh your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped out of your hand. 8Weren’t the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge army, with chariots and exceedingly many horsemen? Yet, because you relied on Yahweh, he delivered them into your hand. 9For Yahweh’s eyes run back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. You have done foolishly in this; for from now on you will have wars.” 10Then Asa was angry with the seer, and put him in the prison; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. Asa oppressed some of the people at the same time. 11Behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 12In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa was diseased in his feet. His disease was exceedingly great; yet in his disease he didn’t seek Yahweh, but just the physicians. 13Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the forty-first year of his reign. 14They buried him in his own tomb, which he had dug out for himself in David’s city, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odors and various kinds of spices prepared by the perfumers’ art; and they made a very great fire for him.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

2 Chronicles 16 recounts a pivotal moment in the reign of King Asa of Judah. The chapter begins with Asa's alliance with King Ben-Hadad of Aram against Baasha, the king of Israel. Instead of relying on the Lord, Asa seeks help from a foreign king, which leads to a rebuke from the prophet Hanani. The prophet reminds Asa that it was the Lord who had delivered him from the hands of the Cushites and Libyans in the past. This highlights a key theme in the chapter: the importance of trusting in God rather than human alliances. Asa's reliance on his own wisdom rather than divine guidance ultimately leads to his downfall. This serves as a warning to believers about the dangers of self-reliance and the need for faith in God's power and provision.

The chapter concludes with Asa's reaction to the prophet's message. Instead of repenting, Asa becomes angry and imprisons Hanani, demonstrating a hardened heart. His later years are marked by disease, yet even in his affliction, he does not seek the Lord but turns to physicians instead. This illustrates the consequences of turning away from God and relying solely on human solutions. The chapter ends with a summary of Asa's reign, noting both his accomplishments and failures, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God throughout our lives.

Overall, 2 Chronicles 16 emphasizes the necessity of trusting in the Lord and the repercussions of failing to do so, encouraging believers to seek God in all circumstances. #Asa #Hanani #Judah #faith #trustingGod

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Referenced by

  1. Psalms 101:6v9Psalm 101:6 speaks of God's favor towards the faithful, which is similar to 2 Chronicles 16:9 where the Lord's eyes search for those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.

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