2 Chronicles 15

1 The Spirit of God came on `Azaryah the son of `Oded:

2 and he went out to meet Asa, and said to him, Hear you me, Asa, and all Yehudah and Binyamin: the LORD is with you, while you are with him; and if you seek him, he will be found of you; but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.

3 Now for a long season Yisra'el was without the true God, and without a teaching Kohen, and without law:

4 But when in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Yisra'el, and sought him, he was found of them.

5 In those times there was no shalom to him who went out, nor to him who came in; but great vexations were on all the inhabitants of the lands.

6 They were broken in pieces, nation against nation, and city against city; for God did vex them with all adversity.

7 But be you strong, and don't let your hands be slack; for your work shall be rewarded.

8 When Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of `Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominations out of all the land of Yehudah and Binyamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from the hill-country of Efrayim; and he renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.

9 He gathered all Yehudah and Binyamin, and those who sojourned with them out of Efrayim and Menashsheh, and out of Shim`on: for they fell to him out of Yisra'el in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

10 So they gathered themselves together at Yerushalayim in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.

11 They sacrificed to the LORD in that day, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.

12 They entered into the covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul;

13 and that whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Yisra'el, should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

14 They swore to the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.

15 All Yehudah rejoiced at the oath; for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.

16 Also Ma`akhah, the mother of Asa the king, he removed from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah; and Asa cut down her image, and made dust of it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.

17 But the high places were not taken away out of Yisra'el: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.

18 He brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels.

19 There was no more war to the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.

2 Chronicles 15 Commentary

Chapter 15

The people make a solemn covenant with God.

- The work of complete reformation appeared so difficult, that Asa had not courage to attempt it, till assured of Divine assistance and acceptance. He and his people offered sacrifices to God; thanksgiving for the favours they had received, and supplication for further favours. Prayers and praises are now our spiritual sacrifices. The people, of their own will, covenanted to seek the Lord, each for himself, with earnestness. What is religion but seeking God, inquiring after him, applying to him upon all occasions? We make nothing of our religion, if we do not make heart-work of it; God will have all the heart, or none. Our devotedness to God our Saviour, should be avowed and shown in the most solemn and public manner. What is done in hypocrisy is a mere drudgery.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 15

Asa returning from the battle, and with the spoil of the enemy, was met by a prophet of the Lord, who encouraged him to go on with the work of reformation, promising the presence and help of God with him, 2Ch 15:1-7, which inspired him with fresh courage, and he went about the work with great alacrity; and having offered sacrifices, he and his people entered into a solemn covenant with the Lord, to serve him, 2Ch 15:8-15 upon which he destroyed his mother's idol, brought the dedicated things into the house of God, and the effect of this was peace for a long time, 2Ch 15:16-19.