2 Chronicles 14

After the death of Ahia Asa his son becometh King, v.1,etc. He destroyeth idolatry, and restoreth the pure worship of God, 2. Having peace he fortifieth his cities, and furnisheth himself with store of men, 6. Being in a strait by reason of Zera the Ethiopian, he crieth unto God, and smitteth an huge camp, with many cities, 9.

1. So Ahia fell asleep with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David; and Asa his son become King in his stead: in his days the land was quiet ten years. [Understand this of the first years of this Kings reign, wherein he was let alone, and unmolested by the heathenish Nations, although there was enmity between him and Baeza the King of Israel, which indeed might occasion jars and fallings out on both sides, but did not break out in open war. See below vers 6. And compare 1 Kings 15. The Annotations on vers. 16.]

2. And Asa did that which was good, and right in the eyes of the LORD his God. [See 1 Kings 11. On vers.33. But understand this commendation here wholly of the reforming of religion that was fallen to decay. So below chap.25.2. and 26.4.]

3. For he took away the altars of the strangers, [To wit, either Nations that worshipped idols, which those of Juda did imitate: or Gods, which they worshipped after the manner of the heathen, and are called Dung-Gods, 1 Kings 15:12.] and the high places: and brake (down) the images reared up; and cut down the groves.

4. And he said unto Juda, [That is, caused it to be told, or to be charged upon all the Subjects of his Kingdom] that they should seek the LORD the God of their fathers, and that they should do the Law and the Commandment. [That is, that they should keep and practice that which was commanded in the Law. Compare Josh.22.5. and below chap.31.21.]

5. Also he took away out of all the cities of Juda the high places, [See Lev.26.on vers.30.] and the Kingdom was quiet before him. [Hebr. Before his face: that is, under his conduct, or, for his own good, and welfare, or, while he thus reigned, for he had restored and reformed that pure Religion in his land, which establisheth the throne of Kings.]

6. Moreover, he built fenced cities, [Hebr. Cities of defence, or, strength. The meaning is, that he inclosed some open cities, and made weak ones strong. Compare above chap.11.5.] in Juda: for the land was quiet, and there was no war in those years against him, because the LORD gave him rest.

7. For he said unto Juda; Let us build these cities [The word these intimateth, that the cities here mentioned, were yet in being, and that consequently the building of them is to be understood of their fortifying, as the following words do also import] and make about them walls, and towers, doors, and bars, whilest the land is yet before our face; [That is, whilest we may yet peaceable possess and enjoy the land. Compare Gen.13.on vers.9.] for we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought (him,) and he hath given us rest round about: so they built, and prospered.

8. Now Asa had an army of three hundred thousand (men) out of Juda, bearing target and spear, and two hundred and fourscore thousand out of Benjamin, bearing shield, and bending the bow: [Hebr. Treading the bow; that is, with the foot, which weapon or instrument of war, we yet at this day call the Foot-bow. See 1 Chron,5.18. and 8. On vers.40.] all these were valiant champions. [That is, warlike and valiant Souldiers. It seemeth that Asa gathered and prepared these forces, when he understood that the King of the Ethiopians intended to set upon him.]

9. And Zerah the Moor, [Or, Arabian. Heb. Cuschi. See Num.12.on v.1.] came out against them, with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred charets: And he came to Maresa. [a city lying in the tribe of Juda. See above chap.11.on v.8.]

10. Then Asa marched forth against him: And they set the battle in aray in the valley of Zephata [Oth. Towards Zephath. See Judg.1.on vers.17.] by Maresa.

11. And Asa cryed unto the LORD his God, and said; LORD, it is nothing with thee to help whether him that is mighty, or him that is impotent: [Or, it matters not with thee to help the mighty one, or him that is without power: or, it is nothing with thee to help the impotent (one), coming between him that is mighty; that is, setting thy self against him. Or thus: It is not with thee to help, &c. Heb. between the mighty one, him that hath no power] help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name [that is, according to thy will, under thy conduct, in confidence of thy help, to thy glory. See 2 Kings 2.on vers.24.] are we come against this multitude: O LORD, thou art our God, let not mortal man prevail [or, have the upper hand] against thee. [That is, against thy people. Evil done to the people of God, is done to God himself, Zach.2.8. Acts 9:5.]

12. And the LORD plagued the Moors before Asa, and before Juda: And the Moors fled.

13. Now Asa, and the people that were with him, pursued them unto Gerar; [See of this city, Gen.20.on v.1.] and there fell (so many) of the Maors, that there was no rallying for them; [Heb. no making alive, or, liveness; that is, strength to recover themselves, and to rally again together, that they might reiterate, or reassume the batter. So it is said: And Joab made the rest of the city alive, 1 Chron.11.8. see the annotate. There] for they were broken before the LORD, and before his camp; and they [to wit, those of Juda] carried (away) very much spoil from thence.

14. And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the terror of the LORD was upon them: [That is, a very great terror sent by God, fell upon them. Compare chap.35.v.5. and see the annotate. Thereon. So below chap.17.10. and 20.29.] and they spoiled all the cities, because there was much spoil in them.

15. And they smote also the tents [That is, the inhabitants of tents. Understand the Arabians that dwelt in tents on the borders of the Edomites and Philistines, whither the Moors being beaten, perhaps were fled. Or it may be understood of the Arabians themselves, 1 Chron.4 41.] of cattle, and carried away sheep in abundance, and camels: and returned to Jerusalem.