And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king ,.... Or rather his grandmother, 1 Kings 15:10 , he removed her from being queen ; the Septuagint version is, "that she should not minister to Astarte"; which was the goddess of the Zidonians; of this and the two next verses; see Gill on 1 Kings 15:13 , 1 Kings 15:14 , 1 Kings 15:15 . read more
The high places were not taken away - He had totally suppressed or destroyed the idolatry; but some of the places, buildings, or altars, he permitted to remain. read more
The hour of happiness improved. Perhaps we are not warranted to say that it was immediately after Asa's victory over Zerah, or able to say how soon it was after it, that Azariah the son of Oded came with his message to him and "all Judah and Benjamin," under that direct and ever-typical leading of "the Spirit." Nor does the parallel enlighten us on this point. The history, however, here follows on with the account of Azariah's appearance to Asa, and gives us the impression that it was at... read more
Ancient covenanters. I. SERIOUS PREPARATIONS . ( 2 Chronicles 15:8-11 .) 1 . The purgation of the land from idols. Encouraged by the words of the son of Oded—not Oded, as in the text—Asa, on reaching his capital, determined to convene a national assembly, and enter into a solemn league and covenant to carry out the work of reformation so auspiciously begun ( 2 Chronicles 14:2-5 ), and so manifestly owned of Jehovah in the splendid victory he had granted over the Cushite... read more
The high places were not taken away out of Israel . It is possible, but scarcely tenable, that, by Israel, the northern kingdom may be here intended. But for the apparent discrepancy with those places which say that Asa did take away "the high places" ( 2 Chronicles 14:3 , 2 Chronicles 14:5 ), see notes under them, and §7. 1, pp. 16; 17; of ' Introduction to 1 Chronicles.' "The high places" were hills on which sacrifices were illegitimately offered instead of at the chosen place—at... read more
Comparing this verse with marginal references, it would seem that in 2 Chronicles 14:3, 2 Chronicles 14:5 the intention and endeavors of the monarch are in the writer’s mind, while here he is speaking of the practice of the people. However earnestly the most pious monarchs sought to root out the high-place worship, they failed of complete success. Compare a similar discrepancy, to be similarly explained, in the history of Jehoshaphat 2 Chronicles 17:6; 2 Chronicles 20:33.The heart of Asa was... read more
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
not taken away. Not from "Israel" (2 Chronicles 15:17 ), but from Judah (2 Chronicles 14:3 ). Figure of speech Palinodia. App-6 . perfect: i.e. so far as idolatry was concerned. read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 15:8-19
We are here told what good effect the foregoing sermon had upon Asa. I. He grew more bold for God than he had been. His victory would inspire him with some new degrees of resolution, but this message from God with much more. Now he took courage. he saw how necessary a further reformation was, and what assurance he had of God's presence with him in it; and this made him daring, and helped him over the difficulties which had before deterred him and driven him off from the undertaking. Now he... read more