2 Chronicles 16KJV
Books
All books

2 Chronicles16

King James Version · Public Domain

1In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

2Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king's house, and sent to Ben–hadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,

3There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.

4And Ben–hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel–maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.

5And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.

6Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.

7And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.

8Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the Lord, he delivered them into thine hand.

9For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

10Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.

11And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

12And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.

13And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.

14And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Chronicles 16.

Full AI study →

Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Asa seeks the aid of the Syrians, His death. (1-14).

vv1-16

A plain and faithful reproof was given to Asa by a prophet of the Lord, for making a league with Syria. God is displeased when he is distrusted, and when an arm of flesh is relied on, more than his power and goodness. It is foolish to lean on a broken reed, when we have the Rock of ages to rely upon. To convince Asa of his folly, the prophet shows that he, of all men, had no reason to distrust God, who had found him such a powerful Helper. The many experiences we have had of the goodness of God to us, aggravate our distrust of him. But see how deceitful our hearts are! we trust in God when we have nothing else to trust to, when need drives us to him; but when we have other things to stay on, we are apt to depend too much on them. Observe Asa's displeasure at this reproof. What is man, when God leaves him to himself! He that abused his power for persecuting God's prophet, was left to himself, to abuse it further for crushing his own subjects. Two years before he died, Asa was diseased in his feet. Making use of physicians was his duty; but trusting to them, and expecting that from them which was to be had from God only, were his sin and folly. In all conflicts and sufferings we need especially to look to our own hearts, that they may be perfect towards God, by faith, patience, and obedience.

Cross References

2 Chronicles 16

The parallel account of Asa's war with Baasha, building of Ramah, and league with Ben-hadad.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

Asa's prior victory over the Ethiopians through faith, contrasted here with his present reliance on Syria.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v121 Kings 15:23thematic

The parallel Kings text noting Asa's diseased feet in his old age.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v1Jeremiah 41:9thematic

Identifies the pit Baasha dug at Ramah, made by Asa because of Baasha.

Supported by JFB

The defection of Israelites to Judah which alarmed Baasha and prompted the building of Ramah.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v71 Kings 16:1thematic

Identifies Hanani the seer as the father of Jehu the prophet, who also rebuked kings.

v9Zechariah 4:10allusion

Identical prophetic imagery of the eyes of the Lord running to and fro through the earth.

v7Jeremiah 17:5thematic

Pronounces a curse on the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength.

Supported by Matthew Henry

Contrasts Asa's heart being previously perfect with his foolish heart-attitude here.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

Parallels another Judean king (Amaziah) angrily rejecting and silencing a prophet's divine rebuke.

v12Job 13:4thematic

Job labels his friends 'physicians of no value,' echoing Asa's faithless reliance on physicians.

v9Proverbs 15:3thematic

Theological parallel of the eyes of the Lord being in every place, beholding evil and good.

Parallels Uzziah's rage when rebuked by God's priests, resulting in his immediate judgment.

v131 Kings 15:24thematic

Kings record of Asa's death, burial in the city of David, and Jehoshaphat's succession.

v14Jeremiah 34:5thematic

Confirms the Israelite custom of making a 'great burning' for deceased kings as an honor.