Wednesday, October 23 – 2 Chronicles 15, 16 – Additional Reading: Prophets and Kings, Chapter 8, “National Apostasy”

1. Which foreign king did Asa ally with to protect himself from the king of Israel? (2 Chronicles 16:2-3)

2. How did Asa react when the prophet Hanani came to rebuke him for his alliance with Ben-Hadad, king of Syria? (2 Chronicles 16:10)

Commentary and Reflection:

We continue reading about King Asa of Judah, a good king who, unlike his father, set his heart to seek the Lord. After his victory over the Ethiopians and the prophet’s warning, the people entered a covenant: “They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul” (2 Chronicles 15:12). Asa’s decision to seek God influenced the entire nation. “All Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and sought Him with all their soul” (2 Chronicles 15:15).

This demonstrates the significant influence of a leader. Whether in the church, the workplace, or the family, leadership brings great responsibility. When we seek God wholeheartedly, our decision has a powerful and tangible effect on those around us.

Despite the troubled times, when Asa and the people praised God and committed to seeking Him, God granted them peace. This teaches us an important lesson: “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” (2 Chronicles 15:15).

During Asa’s reign, there were times of peace and times of war. Peace brings prosperity and well-being, while conflict causes distress and destruction. The difference between these periods is clear: when the people listened to God’s voice through His prophet, they had peace; when they rejected His voice, they faced conflict.

When Asa stopped seeking God because he disliked the prophet’s message, he turned to human wisdom instead of relying on God. The prophet Hanani rebuked him, saying: “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 from your hand” (2 Chronicles 16:7).

This passage contains a powerful verse that we would do well to memorize: “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

“From the point of view of both God and man the action of Asa had been foolish. The king had only temporarily removed a threat from one enemy, but in order to accomplish this he had greatly strengthened another. The original problem was only partially solved, and new problems were created.” (SDA Bible Commentary, 2 Chronicles 16:9).

Asa’s failure to seek God extended to his illness. “In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians” (2 Chronicles 16:12). 

The Andrews Bible Commentary offers insight: “This disease, which lasted for two years, may have been referring to a disease which resulted in symptoms in his feet, such as gout or diabetes, but it could also have been something of a urological nature (v. 12-13). In Hebrew idiom, the “feet,” conceptualized as the lower limbs from the crotch down, can sometimes stand for private parts (e.g., the Hebrew expressions involving “feet” in Judg. 3:24; 1 Sam. 24:3; Ezek. 16:25).

The Chronicler criticizes the king for consulting only physicians (2 Chr. 16:12). Diseases are best dealt with by a combination of human effort and reliance on God, just like other enemies (13:18). In spite of this lapse in Asa’s reliance on God, the judgment of 2 Chronicles on his reign is favorable (14:2), as was that of the people 1614).” Andrews Bible Commentary 

Ellen G. White also comments, “Asa’s long record of faithful service was marred by some mistakes, made at times when he failed to put his trust fully in God.” (Prophets and Kings, p. 113).

The prophet told Asa, “In this you have done foolishly.” Let us not act foolishly but instead wisely seek God and follow the counsel of His prophets.

May the Lord’s blessing be upon you today.