American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
2 Chronicles 14
1
So 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.
3
For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and broke down the images, and cut down the groves:
Reference
4
And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
5
Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
Reference
6
And 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.
Reference
7
Therefore he said to 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 has given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
Reference
8
And Asa had an army of men that bore targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bore shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valor.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Chronicles 13:3
9
And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came to Mareshah.
Reference
People
10
Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
📍 Valley of Zephathah
11
And Asa cried to the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with you to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on you, and in your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let no man prevail against you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 22:5
References God
Psalm 20:7
Romans 8:31
2 Chronicles 13:18
References Lord
Jeremiah 1:19
Acts 2:21
2 Chronicles 13:14
Proverbs 18:10
1 Samuel 14:6
Psalm 120:1
12
So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Chronicles 13:15
Psalm 60:12
1 Corinthians 9:26
Deuteronomy 32:39
References Lord
Exodus 14:25
1 Corinthians 15:57
Deuteronomy 28:7
Joshua 10:10
13
And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them to 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.
Reference
14
And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came on them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 35:5
Isaiah 33:23
Psalm 68:12
Job 15:21
Romans 8:37
Deuteronomy 2:25
References Lord
2 Chronicles 17:10
2 Chronicles 20:29
Isaiah 31:9
Joshua 2:24
Summary of 2 Chronicles 14
This chapter describes the beginning of King Asa's reign, his religious reforms, Judah's period of peace, and a major victory over a powerful invading army. The chapter presents Asa as a king who initially sought to restore Judah's relationship with God and used a period of peace to strengthen the kingdom.
The chapter begins with the death of Abijah and the succession of his son Asa. Unlike several of the kings who came before him, Asa is immediately described as a ruler who did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord.
One of Asa's first priorities was religious reform. He removed foreign altars, high places, images, sacred pillars, and incense altars from Judah. He also commanded the people to seek the Lord and obey His laws and commandments. These actions were intended to remove competing forms of worship and restore Judah's commitment to the God of Israel.
Asa's reforms were followed by a remarkable period of peace. The land experienced ten years without major war, giving the king an opportunity to strengthen Judah's cities. Asa ordered the construction and fortification of cities throughout the kingdom. The people were able to build walls, towers, gates, and other defensive structures without being interrupted by warfare.
The peaceful period also allowed Asa to maintain a substantial army. Judah had 300,000 soldiers from Judah and 280,000 from Benjamin, giving the kingdom a total force of approximately 580,000 men. The army was equipped with shields, spears, and bows.
However, the period of peace eventually ended when a massive army led by Zerah the Cushite came against Judah.
The biblical account describes Zerah's army as consisting of approximately one million soldiers and 300 chariots. The army advanced to the region of Mareshah, creating a serious threat to Judah.
Asa went out to meet the invading army in the Valley of Zephathah. Although Asa possessed a large military force, his army was still considerably smaller than the invading force.
Instead of relying only on his soldiers, Asa prayed to God.
His prayer is one of the central points of the chapter. Asa acknowledges that God is able to help whether an army is strong or weak. He recognizes that Judah's ultimate security does not depend on military numbers. He therefore asks God to help them because they are relying on Him.
The result is a decisive victory.
The Lord defeats the Cushite army, and the enemy flees before Asa and Judah. Judah pursues the defeated forces all the way to Gerar, and the invading army suffers such a severe defeat that it cannot recover.
The people living in the surrounding towns become fearful because they see the magnitude of Judah's victory. Asa's army takes large quantities of possessions from the defeated forces, including livestock and other valuable resources.
Historically, the identity of Zerah the Cushite is uncertain. The term "Cushite" can be associated with regions south of Egypt, including Nubia, although the precise origin of this army and the historical identity of Zerah remain debated. The biblical account places the conflict during the early part of Asa's reign, probably around the late 10th or early 9th century BC.
The chapter's main theme is the relationship between faithfulness, preparation, and dependence on God.
Asa does not simply sit back and expect God to protect Judah. During the peaceful years, he actively strengthens the cities and prepares the army. When the crisis comes, however, he recognizes that preparation alone is not enough. He turns to God for help.
This creates an important balance in the chapter: Judah prepares responsibly but ultimately trusts God for victory.
The chapter also presents Asa's religious reforms as part of the kingdom's strengthening. The removal of idolatrous worship is followed by peace and prosperity, while Asa's prayer during the invasion demonstrates his continued dependence on God.
Overall, 2 Chronicles Chapter 14 presents the early reign of Asa as a period of religious reform, peace, preparation, and dramatic military victory. Asa removes unauthorized worship practices, encourages Judah to seek God, strengthens the nation's defenses, and then trusts God when an overwhelming enemy threatens the kingdom.
The chapter's central message is that human strength and preparation have their place, but true security ultimately comes from dependence on God. Asa's army was large, his cities were fortified, and his kingdom was prepared, but when the overwhelming army of Zerah arrived, Asa recognized that Judah needed God's help above everything else.
The chapter begins with the death of Abijah and the succession of his son Asa. Unlike several of the kings who came before him, Asa is immediately described as a ruler who did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord.
One of Asa's first priorities was religious reform. He removed foreign altars, high places, images, sacred pillars, and incense altars from Judah. He also commanded the people to seek the Lord and obey His laws and commandments. These actions were intended to remove competing forms of worship and restore Judah's commitment to the God of Israel.
Asa's reforms were followed by a remarkable period of peace. The land experienced ten years without major war, giving the king an opportunity to strengthen Judah's cities. Asa ordered the construction and fortification of cities throughout the kingdom. The people were able to build walls, towers, gates, and other defensive structures without being interrupted by warfare.
The peaceful period also allowed Asa to maintain a substantial army. Judah had 300,000 soldiers from Judah and 280,000 from Benjamin, giving the kingdom a total force of approximately 580,000 men. The army was equipped with shields, spears, and bows.
However, the period of peace eventually ended when a massive army led by Zerah the Cushite came against Judah.
The biblical account describes Zerah's army as consisting of approximately one million soldiers and 300 chariots. The army advanced to the region of Mareshah, creating a serious threat to Judah.
Asa went out to meet the invading army in the Valley of Zephathah. Although Asa possessed a large military force, his army was still considerably smaller than the invading force.
Instead of relying only on his soldiers, Asa prayed to God.
His prayer is one of the central points of the chapter. Asa acknowledges that God is able to help whether an army is strong or weak. He recognizes that Judah's ultimate security does not depend on military numbers. He therefore asks God to help them because they are relying on Him.
The result is a decisive victory.
The Lord defeats the Cushite army, and the enemy flees before Asa and Judah. Judah pursues the defeated forces all the way to Gerar, and the invading army suffers such a severe defeat that it cannot recover.
The people living in the surrounding towns become fearful because they see the magnitude of Judah's victory. Asa's army takes large quantities of possessions from the defeated forces, including livestock and other valuable resources.
Historically, the identity of Zerah the Cushite is uncertain. The term "Cushite" can be associated with regions south of Egypt, including Nubia, although the precise origin of this army and the historical identity of Zerah remain debated. The biblical account places the conflict during the early part of Asa's reign, probably around the late 10th or early 9th century BC.
The chapter's main theme is the relationship between faithfulness, preparation, and dependence on God.
Asa does not simply sit back and expect God to protect Judah. During the peaceful years, he actively strengthens the cities and prepares the army. When the crisis comes, however, he recognizes that preparation alone is not enough. He turns to God for help.
This creates an important balance in the chapter: Judah prepares responsibly but ultimately trusts God for victory.
The chapter also presents Asa's religious reforms as part of the kingdom's strengthening. The removal of idolatrous worship is followed by peace and prosperity, while Asa's prayer during the invasion demonstrates his continued dependence on God.
Overall, 2 Chronicles Chapter 14 presents the early reign of Asa as a period of religious reform, peace, preparation, and dramatic military victory. Asa removes unauthorized worship practices, encourages Judah to seek God, strengthens the nation's defenses, and then trusts God when an overwhelming enemy threatens the kingdom.
The chapter's central message is that human strength and preparation have their place, but true security ultimately comes from dependence on God. Asa's army was large, his cities were fortified, and his kingdom was prepared, but when the overwhelming army of Zerah arrived, Asa recognized that Judah needed God's help above everything else.