took away . . . the high places. No "discrepancy" between this and 2 Chronicles 15:17 ; for the high places referred to there belonged to "Israel", not Judah. Asa could do nothing in Israel. images = sun images. groves. Hebrew. 'Asherim. See note on Exodus 34:13 , and App-42 . See note on Isaiah 17:8 . read more
2 Chronicles 14:3. Altars of the strange gods— Altars of the strangers; i.e. which the strangers had erected to their several gods. Houbigant. read more
3. brake down the images—of Baal (see on 2 Chronicles 14:2; 2 Chronicles 14:2- :). cut down the groves—rather, "Asherim." read more
C. Asa 14:2-16:14Chronicles gives much more attention to Asa than Kings does. That is because Asa’s experiences illustrated the points the Chronicler wanted to drive home to his readers.We have already seen in Rehoboam’s history that obedience brought blessing from God, but disobedience brought discipline (chs. 11-12). The Chronicler used this retributive motif frequently. We see it clearly here in Asa’s history. [Note: Raymond B. Dillard, "The Reign of Asa (2 Chronicles 14-16): An Example of... read more
1. Asa’s Wisdom 14:2-15Asa inherited a kingdom at peace. He wisely used the peace to purge the idolatry that had crept into Judah (2 Chronicles 14:3-5). The term "Asherim" (pl. of ’asherah) refers to the various representations of Baal’s goddess consort Asherah. The Canaanites believed this goddess resided in a carved wooden pole that they erected beside a carved stone pillar in which they believed Baal abode. Both the wooden poles and the stone pillars served as incense stands, and both were... read more
Reign of AsaThis chapter adds to what is related of Asa in 1 Kings 15:9-24 an account of the invasion of the Ethiopian Zerah.3. Took away.. the high places] In 2 Chronicles 15:17 (= 1 Kings 15:14) the opposite of this is stated; if the two passages are to be reconciled, it must be supposed that Asa sought to effect a reform which was only imperfectly executed: cp. also 2 Chronicles 17:6 with 2 Chronicles 20:33.7. The land is yet before us] i.e. free from the presence of an enemy.9. Zerah]... read more
ASA: DIVINE RETRIBUTION2 Chronicles 14:1-15; 2 Chronicles 15:1-19; 2 Chronicles 16:1-14ABIJAH, dying, as far as we can gather from Chronicles, in the odor of sanctity, was succeeded by his son Asa. The chronicler’s history of Asa is much fuller than that which is given in the book of Kings. The older narrative is used as a framework into which material from later sources is freely inserted. The beginning of the new reign was singularly promising. Abijah had been a very David, he had fought the... read more
CHAPTER 14 The Reign of Asa 1. The death of Abijah and Asa becomes king (2 Chronicles 14:1 ) 2. The good beginning (2 Chronicles 14:2-8 ) 3. His victory over Zerah (2 Chronicles 14:9-15 ) Asa, (which means “healing” or “who will heal?”), the son of Abijah, began his reign well. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord. The strange altars, the high places and the images were taken away and the groves cut down. He was not satisfied with this work, but he also commanded Judah to seek... read more
14:3 For he took away the altars of the strange [gods], and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the {a} groves:(a) Which were planted contrary to the Law, De 16:21. read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 14:1-15
Reformation under Asa (14:1-16:14)God’s blessings on Asa showed his pleasure with those who removed Canaanite customs and restored the Levitical order of worship. God rewarded Asa by giving him a remarkable victory over a large and powerful army that invaded from the south. This sign of God’s pleasure encouraged Asa to continue his reforms with greater boldness (14:1-15:19; see notes on 1 Kings 15:9-15).When, however, Asa trusted in outside help instead of trusting in God, he displeased God and... read more