2 Chronicles 15

2 Chronicles 15:1

15:1-6 Asa and his men were jubilant over their recent success against overwhelming odds. As they returned to Jerusalem, the Lord had a lesson for them. First, Azariah reminded them that the LORD was with them because they had sought Him. But . . . He would forsake them if they forsook Him. And history proved more times than not that Israel had forsaken their God. Consequently they had no peace, and they were continually beaten by their enemies. But when the nation sought . . . the LORD, they found Him always ready to forgive and restore. 15:7 Since Asa was seeking after Jehovah, Azariah encouraged him to keep up the good work. Tucked away in this historical narrative, verse 7 is well worth memorizing: “But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” The parallel for believers today Isaiah 1Co_15:58. 15:8-15 “Oded” (v. 8) probably refers to Oded’s son, Azariah (see NKJV marg.). The king responded to the word of the prophet with real enthusiasm. He stepped up his reformation program immediately, removing more idols (cf. 2Ch_14:3), not only from his own land of Judah but from the cities . . . of Ephraim which he had taken in battle. He restored the altar in the temple and consecrated it with sacrifices. He called a solemn assembly at Jerusalem, offered part of the Ethiopian spoil . . . to the LORD on the altar, and bound the people with an oath . . . to seek the LORD. He left no room for dissentersall who did not obey the covenant were to be executed (v. 13). 15:16-19 Also Asa removed his grandmother (not his mother) from her position as queen mother and destroyed her obscene image. For comment on verse 17 see the note on 2Ch_14:3-8. Treasures were brought into the temple instead of being taken out. His work was rewarded as the Lord had promised through Azariah, and he had peace.