
2 Chronicles 15
2 Chronicles 15 provides an account of King Asa’s reforms after being encouraged by the prophet Azariah. Asa leads Judah in a renewed covenant with God, bringing about a period of revival. This chapter highlights themes of faithfulness, repentance, and reliance on God.
2 Chronicles 15:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded.
2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.
3 For a long time Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law;
4 but when in their trouble they turned to the Lord God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them.
5 And in those times there was no peace to the one who went out, nor to the one who came in, but great turmoil was on all the inhabitants of the lands.
Azariah, empowered by the Spirit of God, delivers a message to Asa, calling for faithfulness. He emphasizes that God’s presence is conditional on seeking Him. Israel’s past spiritual decline is mentioned, where they had been without true worship and guidance. Yet, when they sought God during crises, He responded. The lack of peace during those times reflects the consequences of turning away from God, resulting in social and political unrest. This serves as both a warning and encouragement for Asa to pursue God wholeheartedly.
2 Chronicles 15:6 (NKJV)
6 So nation was destroyed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every adversity.
The verse describes how widespread conflict and chaos marked the times of Israel’s unfaithfulness. These wars and destruction are portrayed as consequences of God’s judgment, where He allowed difficulties to arise as a result of the people’s disobedience. This shows that abandoning God leads to instability not only for individuals but entire nations.
2 Chronicles 15:7 (NKJV)
7 But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!
Azariah encourages Asa and his people to remain steadfast and courageous in their pursuit of reform and devotion to God. Despite the challenges, he assures them that their efforts to bring the nation back to God will not be in vain, and they will be rewarded for their faithfulness.
2 Chronicles 15:8 (NKJV)
8 And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had taken in the mountains of Ephraim; and he restored the altar of the Lord that was before the vestibule of the Lord.
Upon hearing Azariah’s message, Asa is inspired to act. He boldly removes the idolatrous practices from his kingdom, showing a deep commitment to purging the land of sin. By restoring the altar of the Lord, Asa demonstrates a renewed focus on true worship and obedience to God, leading the nation back to its covenant relationship with God.
2 Chronicles 15:9 (NKJV)
9 Then he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those who dwelt with them from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon, for they came over to him in great numbers from Israel when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.
People from other tribes of Israel, seeing God’s favor on Asa, began to align themselves with Judah. This highlights the magnetic effect of God’s presence—when people see evidence of God’s blessings and leadership, they are drawn to it. Asa’s reforms had a unifying influence, attracting others who wanted to serve the Lord.
2 Chronicles 15:10-11 (NKJV)
10 So they gathered together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.
11 And they offered to the Lord at that time seven hundred bulls and seven thousand sheep from the spoil they had brought.
In the fifteenth year of Asa’s reign, a large gathering takes place in Jerusalem. The people bring an enormous offering to God, demonstrating both gratitude and renewed devotion. The animals offered likely came from victories over enemies, symbolizing the people’s recognition that their successes were due to God’s intervention.
2 Chronicles 15:12-13 (NKJV)
12 Then they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;
13 and whoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel was to be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.
The people make a solemn commitment to fully seek and serve God, entering into a covenant to return to Him wholeheartedly. The seriousness of this covenant is underscored by the extreme consequence for anyone who refused to seek God: death. This reflects the deep determination to ensure total faithfulness to God in every aspect of life.
2 Chronicles 15:14-15 (NKJV)
14 Then they took an oath before the Lord with a loud voice, with shouting and trumpets and rams’ horns.
15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and sought Him with all their soul; and He was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.
The people publicly and joyfully affirm their commitment to God through a loud and enthusiastic oath. This marks a powerful spiritual renewal. The genuine nature of their repentance and dedication brings about divine blessing as God responds by granting them peace and rest, symbolizing His favor and protection over the nation.
2 Chronicles 15:16 (NKJV)
16 Also he removed Maachah, the mother of Asa the king, from being queen mother, because she had made an obscene image of Asherah; and Asa cut down her obscene image, then crushed and burned it by the Brook Kidron.
Asa’s reforms extend even to his own family, as he removes his mother from her position of influence due to her idolatry. This shows Asa’s unwavering commitment to purging sin, even when it involves his close relatives. By destroying her idol, Asa makes it clear that idolatry has no place in his kingdom, further solidifying the nation’s return to God.
2 Chronicles 15:17 (NKJV)
17 But the high places were not removed from Israel. Nevertheless the heart of Asa was loyal all his days.
Despite Asa’s widespread reforms, some of the high places—sites often used for idolatrous worship—remain in Israel. However, Asa’s personal devotion is described as loyal and consistent throughout his reign. This verse acknowledges that while the reforms were not perfect, Asa’s heart remained true to God.
2 Chronicles 15:18 (NKJV)
18 He also brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated and that he himself had dedicated: silver and gold and utensils.
Asa restores the treasures and utensils dedicated to God by placing them in the temple. This act of returning these sacred items to God’s house is a symbol of reverence and respect for God’s worship. It also reflects Asa’s commitment to the temple as the center of Israel’s worship life, emphasizing the importance of true worship.
2 Chronicles 15:19 (NKJV)
19 And there was no war until the thirty-fifth year of the reign of Asa.
Asa’s reforms and the nation’s return to God bring about a long period of peace, lasting until the thirty-fifth year of his reign. This peace is a direct result of the nation’s faithfulness to God, highlighting the blessings that come with obedience and devotion.