But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel ,.... When being carried captive by neighbouring nations, and oppressed; and they cried unto the Lord, and repented of their sins, and turned from them to him: and sought him ; by prayer and supplication: he was found of them ; and appeared for their help and deliverance, of which there are many instances in the book of Judges. read more
A conqueror's welcome. I. A MESSAGE FROM GOD . ( 2 Chronicles 15:1 , 2 Chronicles 15:2 .) 1 . Its banter. Azarlah, "Whom Jehovah aids," the son of Oded; mentioned only here. Jehovah may, and often does, transmit messages of moment through humble and obscure messengers. What fitted Azariah to be the bearer of the Divine announcements was the coming upon him of the Spirit of Eiohim, the Spirit being the Revealer and Interpreter of the Divine will to the soul of man ( Numbers... 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
2 Chronicles 15:3-4. For a long season Israel hath been, &c. Hebrew, many days have been to Israel without the true God, &c. The prophet’s design here is evidently to set before them the miserable consequences of forsaking God and his ordinances, and that if they should forsake him, there would be no way of having their grievances redressed, but by repenting and returning to him. In proof of this point he argues from facts, and observes, that in time past, when Israel forsook... 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
2 Chronicles 15:3-6. Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, &c.— It is very plain from the first verse, that Azariah was about to foretel something, as the spirit of God came upon him; and therefore, as Houbigant well observes, these verses should be rendered in the future. Now for a long time, Israel shall be, &c. 2 Chronicles 15:8. The prophecy of Oded— Of Azariah, the son of Oded, according to many of the ancient versions. See the first verse. REFLECTIONS.—1st,... read more
2. Asa’s reform ch. 15The Chronicler featured Azariah’s sermon (2 Chronicles 15:1-7), Asa’s reformation (2 Chronicles 15:8-15), and Maacah’s removal (2 Chronicles 15:16-19) during the middle part of Asa’s reign.A message from the prophet Azariah was the spark that ignited revival in Asa’s day. Gerhard von Rad named the literary form in which a confessional statement is made with a quotation from the canonical prophets as "the Levitical Sermon" (cf. 2 Chronicles 15:2-7; 2 Chronicles 16:7-9; 2... read more
Reign of Asa (continued)An account of how Asa, moved by the prophet Azariah, made a covenant to seek .the Lord.This chapter is almost entirely supplementary to what is recorded of Asa in 1 Kings 15.1. Azariah] not mentioned elsewhere.3. For a long season] The writer seems to have principally in view the times of the Judges: see Judges 2:12; Judges 3:7; Judges 17:6; Judges 21:25. A teaching priest] For this function of the priesthood cp. Leviticus 10:11; Malachi 2:7.5. No peace.. came in] i.e.... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 15:1-7
It was a great happiness to Israel that they had prophets among them; yet, while they were thus blessed, they were strangely addicted to idolatry, whereas, when the spirit of prophecy had ceased under the second temple, and the canon of the Old Temple was completed (which was constantly read in their synagogues), they were pure from idolatry; for the scriptures are of all other the most sure word of prophecy, and most effectual, and the church could not be so easily imposed upon by a... read more