# 2 Chronicles 14 š: Asa Seeks the Lord
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> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#š Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#š Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#š§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#āļø Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#š Key Principles / š Life Application]]
> [[#š¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#āļø Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#š Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#š Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#š Internal Notes]]
## š Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
[[#Verse 01.]]Ā (13:23)Ā Abijah passed awayĀ and was buried in the City of David.Ā His son Asa replaced him as king. During his reignĀ the land had rest for ten years.
### Asaās Religious and Military Accomplishments
[[#Verse 02.]]Ā (14:1) Asa did what theĀ LordĀ his God desired and approved.Ā
[[#Verse 03.]]Ā He removed the pagan altarsĀ and the high places, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles.
[[#Verse 04.]]Ā He ordered Judah to seek theĀ LordĀ God of their ancestorsĀ and to observe his law and commands.Ā
[[#Verse 05.]]Ā He removed the high places and the incense altars from all the towns of Judah. The kingdom had rest under his rule.
[[#Verse 06.]]Ā He built fortified cities throughout Judah, for the land was at rest and there was no war during those years; theĀ LordĀ gave him peace.Ā
[[#Verse 07.]]Ā He said to the people of Judah:Ā āLetās build these cities and fortify them with walls, towers, and barred gates.Ā The land remains ours because we have followedĀ theĀ LordĀ our God; we have followed him, and he has made us secure on all sides.āĀ So they built the citiesĀ and prospered.
[[#Verse 08.]]Ā Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah, equipped with large shields and spears. He also had 280,000 men from Benjamin who carried small shields and were adept archers; they were all skilled warriors.Ā
[[#Verse 09.]]Ā Zerah the Cushite marched against them with an army of 1,000,000 menĀ and 300 chariots . He arrived at Mareshah,Ā
[[#Verse 10.]]Ā and Asa went out to oppose him. They deployed for battle in the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah.
[[#Verse 11.]]Ā Asa prayedĀ to theĀ LordĀ his God: āOĀ Lord, there is no one but you who can help the weak when they are vastly outnumbered.Ā Help us, OĀ LordĀ our God, for we rely on you and have marched on your behalf against this huge army.Ā OĀ Lord, you are our God; donāt let men prevail against you!āĀ
[[#Verse 12.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah. The Cushites fled,Ā
[[#Verse 13.]]Ā and Asa and his army chased them as far as Gerar. The Cushites were wiped out;Ā they were shattered before theĀ LordĀ and his army. The men of JudahĀ carried off a huge amount of plunder.Ā
[[#Verse 14.]]Ā They defeated all the towns surrounding Gerar, for theĀ LordĀ caused them to panic.Ā The men of JudahĀ looted all the towns, for they contained a huge amount of goods.Ā
[[#Verse 15.]]Ā They also attacked the tents of the herdsmen in charge of the livestock.Ā They carried off many sheep and camels and then returned to Jerusalem.
## š Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
## š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. The land had rest for ten years at the start of Asa's reign (14:1).
2. Asa removed foreign altars, high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles (14:3).
3. Asa built fortified cities with walls, towers, gates, and bars (14:7).
4. Asa's army included 300,000 men of Judah with large shields and spears and 280,000 Benjaminites with bows (14:8).
5. Zerah the Cushite came with a huge army and 300 chariots (14:9). His exact identity is still debated.
6. The battle took place at Mareshah, a town in the Judean lowlands (14:9-10).
7. Cush generally refers to the region south of Egypt, in the area of ancient Nubia.
8. Asa pursued the enemy as far as Gerar (14:13), near the old home of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 20:1; 26:6).
9. Asa's prayer in 14:11 is one of the clearest statements of dependence on God in Chronicles.
10. Asa reigned 41 years (16:13), one of the longest reigns in Judah.
## š§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## āļø Christ in This Chapter
Christ is our strength in weakness. Asa confessed that only the Lord could help the powerless against the strong (14:11), and Jesus says His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
## š Key Principles / š Life Application
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## š¬ Discussion Questions
1. Asa removed idols and commanded Judah to seek the Lord (14:3-4). What needs to be removed from your life so you can seek God more fully?
2. Asa built during a time of peace (14:6-7). How can we use seasons of rest to prepare for harder seasons?
3. Asa prayed, "Help us, for we rely on You" (14:11). What makes it hard for us to admit we are powerless?
## āļø Key Verses to Remember
- š verse 2: Asa does what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord.
- š verse 7: Because they sought the Lord, He gave them rest on every side.
- š verse 11: Asa prays that only the Lord can help the powerless against the strong.
## š Related Passages/Cross Reference
- š [[1 Kings 15#Verse 09.|1 Kings 15:9-15]] - The parallel account of Asa's reforms.
- š [[2 Corinthians 12#Verse 09.|2 Corinthians 12:9-10]] - God's power is made perfect in weakness.
- š [[Psalm 20#Verse 07.|Psalm 20:7]] - Some trust in chariots, but we trust in the Lord.
- š [[Zechariah 04#Verse 06.|Zechariah 4:6]] - Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit.
- š [[1 Samuel 14#Verse 06.|1 Samuel 14:6]] - Nothing can keep the Lord from saving.
## š Devotional Reflection
š SOAP: [[2 Chronicles 14 - SOAP|Know Who the Hero Is]]
## š Internal Notes