2 Chronicles 14:12 Komentaryo

In this and the two following chapters we have the history of the reign of Asa, a good reign and a long one. In this chapter we have, I. His piety (Ch2 14:1-5). II. His policy (Ch2 14:6-8). III. His prosperity, and particularly a glorious victory he obtained over a great army of Ethiopians that came out against him (Ch2 14:9-15).

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 14 This chapter relates the death of Abijah, and the succession of Asa in his stead, Ch2 14:1, gives a good character of the latter for his reformation in religion, and for the care he took for the safety and protection of his subjects, Ch2 14:2, and an account is given of a large army of Ethiopians that came against him, over whom he crying to the Lord, and trusting in him, by his help obtained a complete victory, Ch2 14:9.

And Asa, and the people that were with him, pursued them unto Gerar,.... A city of the Philistines, Gen 20:1, and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; they were thrown into such a fright, and into so much confusion, that they could not put themselves in order, and rally again; or there fell such a vast number of them, that there were scarce any remaining alive, which seems to be the sense of the words used: for they were destroyed before the Lord, and before his host; the army of Israel, which the Lord was, as it were, the Commander of, fought for, and led them in the pursuit, and gave them victory; or it may mean an host of angels, employed in destroying this great army; and so the Syriac and Arabic versions of Ch2 14:12 read,"the angel of the Lord smote the Ethiopians:" and they carried away very much spoil; which they found in their camp, and with their slain; even much gold and silver, as Josephus (g) says. (g) Ut supra, (Antiq. l. 8. c. 12.) sect. 2.

Asa prayed, and his prayer manifested great power: when Zerah the Indian [Ethiopian] went out against him with an army of one million with him, Asa then prayed, saying, “By this shall your power be known, O our God, when you finish off a vast people by means of a small people.” God heard his prayer and sent his angel to rout them. Thus the vast army was defeated by the power of Asa’s prayer.

Asa succeeds his father Abijah, reigns piously, and has peace for ten years, Ch2 14:1. He makes a great reformation in Judah, and builds cities of defense, Ch2 14:2-7. His military strength, Ch2 14:8. He is attacked by Zerah the Ethiopian, with an immense army; Asa cries to the Lord, attacks the Ethiopians, and gives them a total overthrow, Ch2 14:9-12. He takes several of their cities, their cattle, etc., and returns to Jerusalem, laden with spoils, Ch2 14:13-15.

ASA DESTROYS IDOLATRY. (Ch2 14:1-5) In his days the land was quiet ten years--This long interval of peace was the continued effect of the great battle of Zemaraim (compare Kg1 15:11-14).