Chapter 14
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.
2And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God:
3For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:
4And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
5Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
6And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.
7Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
8And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.
9And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.
10Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
11And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.
12So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.
13And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.
14And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
15They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.
“And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.”
Overview
Asa becomes king and does what is good and right, removing foreign altars and high places, and commanding Judah to seek the LORD. He builds fortified cities during a period of peace. When Zerah the Ethiopian attacks with a million troops, Asa prays, 'LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power.' God strikes the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah.
Key Themes
Reform and Rest
Asa's spiritual reforms bring a period of national peace, illustrating the connection between obedience and the rest God provides.
God's Power in Weakness
Asa's prayer before the million-strong Ethiopian army expresses perfect faith — God's power is not limited by human numbers or strength.
Proactive Faithfulness
Asa uses the time of peace to strengthen Judah both spiritually and physically, showing wisdom in preparing during seasons of blessing.
Study Questions
How does Asa's reform connect to the peace Judah experiences?
What does Asa's prayer before the Ethiopian army teach about faith in impossible circumstances?
Why does the Chronicler emphasize that 'the land had rest' under Asa?
How does Asa's use of peaceful times for preparation model wise stewardship?
What does this chapter teach about the relationship between seeking God and experiencing His protection?
Connection to Christ
Asa's prayer — 'it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power' — anticipates the gospel truth that salvation is entirely of God. Christ saves not through human strength but through divine power made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Asa's victory over overwhelming odds foreshadows Christ's victory over sin and death through the apparent weakness of the cross.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through 2 Chronicles 14. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?