2 Chronicles 16
2 Chronicles 16 focuses on the events that took place in the later years of King Asa of Judah. Overall, it records Asa's political conflict with the northern kingdom of Israel, the outcome of relying on people instead of trusting in God, and it also documents Asa's final days and his death.
1verseIn 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.
2verseThen Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the LORD’s house and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben Hadad king of Syria, who lived at Damascus, saying,
3verse“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.”
4verseBen 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.
5verseWhen Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah, and let his work cease.
6verseThen 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.
7verseAt 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 the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped out of your hand.
8verseWeren’t the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge army, with chariots and exceedingly many horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the LORD, he delivered them into your hand.
9verseFor the LORD’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.”
10verseThen 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.
11verseBehold, the acts of Asa, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
12verseIn 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 the LORD, but just the physicians.
13verseAsa slept with his fathers, and died in the forty-first year of his reign.
14verseThey 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.
The Flow and Structure of the Text
- Verses 1-6: When Baasha, king of the northern kingdom of Israel, attacks Judah and builds Ramah, King Asa seeks to solve the problem by forming an alliance with Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram.
- Verses 7-10: The prophet Hanani rebukes King Asa. It points out that because Asa relied on the king of Aram instead of God, he missed an opportunity for an even greater victory. In response, Asa puts the prophet in prison and also acts oppressively toward the people.
- Verses 11-14: In Asa's later years, he develops an illness (it is expressed as 'the illness entered him'). Even while sick, he relies only on physicians rather than on God. Finally, Asa's death and funeral are recorded.
The Meaning of the Text and Its Overall Message
This chapter shows that at the moment of crisis, when people relied only on human methods (political diplomacy and worldly help), the fundamental problem was not resolved, and they did not experience God's help and blessing. Although King Asa initially relied on God and achieved a great victory, in his later years he gradually focuses only on his own judgment and human means, without asking God's will. As a result, the emphasis is on the fact that he could not enjoy peace all the way to the end of his life.
Points to Ponder
- When I face difficulty or a crisis, what do I rely on first?
- Although in the past I chose by faith, don't I now rely only on people or the world's methods out of habit?
- Through God's word, I can reflect on my choices and check whether I have a heart that looks for God's help.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- When the time comes to make a decision, first you can review the direction through prayer and the word.
- People, methods, and means are important, but we should make sure that they do not come before God.
- Let us look to be able to listen with an open heart to God's rebuke (the words and advice) and to lay down our stubbornness.
