2 Chronicles 16

Asa requireth aid of the King of Syria against Baesa the King of Israel, ver.1, &c. and obtaineth it, 4. For which he is reproved by the Prophet Hanani, 7. Whom he therefore casteth in prison, 10. Falling sick, he relyeth more upon the Physicians then upon the LORD, 12. He dieth at last, and is buried sumptuously, 13.

1. In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa, [See above chap.15. on the last verse] Baesa king of Israel went up against Juda, and built [That is, strengthened, fortified. So above chap.11.5. and 14.6. and bel.v 5.] Rama, [a city lying on an high place in the tribe of Benjamin, not far from Silo, Josh.18.25.] that he light let none go out, [to wit, out of his Kingdom into Juda] or come in [to wit, from Juda into his land] to Asa King of Juda. [to wit, of the ten tribes, over whom he was King. For inasmuch as many saw that the true worship of God was set up under Asa, and tat the Lord was with him, there did many revolt to Asa to Juda. Many likewise came to Jerusalem, to worship God on the Feasts, and otherwise. This Baesa sought to hinder by this means. See above chap.15.9. Hebr. That he might not permit the goer out and the comer in, &c.]

2. Then Asa brought forth the silver and the gold, out of the treasures of the house of the LORD, and of the Kings house, and sent to Benhadad the King Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, [Hebr. Darmesek] saying;

3. There is a covenant between me, and between thee, and between my Father, and between thy Father; [Oth. Let there be a covenant, &c. as between, &c.] behold, I send thee silver and gold; go now, make void thy covenant with Baesa the King of Israel, that he may march away [Heb. march up] from me. [that is, break the peace, which thou hast with him, and make war with him, that he may let me be quiet.]

4. And Benhadad hearkened unto King Asa, and sent the Commanders of his arms, which he had, against the cities of Israel, and they smote Hison, and Dan, and Abel-Maim; [See of these cities, 1 Kings 15 on v.20.] and all the store-cities [that is, magazine, ammunition-cities. See 1 Kings 9.on v.19. Heb. treasure-houses of cities] of Naphtali.

5. And it came to pass, when Baesa heard (this), that he left off building of Rama, and let his work cease.

6. Then king Asa took all Juda, [That is, those that pertained to the tribe of Juda. See 1 Kings 15.on vers.22.] and they carried away the stones of Rama, [wherewith the King of Israel intended to fortified Rama. So in the words following, the wood thereof] and the wood thereof, wherewith Baesa had built; and he [namely, King Asa, 1 Kings 15:22.] built therewith Geba, [namely, Geba of Benjamin, 1 Kings 15:22. See the annotate. There] and Mizpa. [see Judg.11. v.11.]

7. And at that time Hanana [This man was the father of the Prophet Jehu, below chap.19.2.] the Seer, [see of this title above chap.9.on v.29.] came to Asa King of Juda, and he said unto him; because thou hast relied on the Syria, and hast not relyed on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Assyria escaped out of thine hand. [for otherwise thou shouldest have subdued as well the king of Syria as the king of Israel, as thou hast overcome the Moors. Oth. Got away, hath withdrawn it self; whereof the meaning would be, thou hast lost thy labour and thy charges, in called the Syrians in to thine aid: For although for the present by their falling upon the Syrians, they have hindred king Baesa in going on in his design of fortifying and strengthening Rama, yet when they shall be marched away, they will not help thee in the war, which Baesa will re-assume against thee. See the end of the 9. Verse following.]

8. Were not the Moors and the Lubains a great host [Heb. for an host, for, or, in a multitude] with very many charets and horsemen? [see above chap.14 v.9.] yet when thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.

9. For (as for) the LORD, his eyes run (to and fro) thorough the whole Earth, [Meaning his providence, whereby he seeth and knoweth what is done all lands, not only in general, but also in particular, observing every ones actions or doings. See the like saying, Zach.4.10] to shew himself strong to (those) whose heart is perfect toward him; [what kind of perfection it is, which the godly attain unto in this life, see 1 Kings 8.on vers.61. Hence it seemeth to be now said, that Asa’s heart was not upright, or perfect towards the Lord, contrary to that which we read, 1 Kings 15:14. and above chap.15.17. But see the comparing of both, 1 Kings 15.on v.14.] herein thou hast done foolishly; for from henceforth wars shall be against thee. [to wit, made against thee by king Baesa. See 1 Kings 15:16.]

10. But Asa waxed worth against the Seer, and laid him in the prison house; [Heb. in the house of subversion, or, destruction: That is, in prison, wherein those were shut up, that were to be destroyed or put to death. He conceive that the Prophet had wronged and abused his royal Majesty, and therefore had deserved to lose his life. Some interpret it the house, or prison of the stocks, where they locked up prisoners in the stocks, or in setters and chains. The same word is also used, Jer.20.2. and 29.26.] for he was disturbed against him [Heb. in vexation, to wit, through anger. See of the proper signification of this word, Gen.40.on ver.6.] for this (thing): Besides, Asa oppressed [the Hebrew word signifieth properly to beat a thing, or, a man in pieces, to throw down on the ground, to tread down, or, crush under foot, to oppress] (some) of the people the same time.

11. And behold, the acts of Asa, the first, with the last, [The first were good and commendable: The last had great failings, and consequently were reproveable. He was indeed faithful and constant in maintaining the pure worship of God, but his confidence in God was small, and his severity against some of the people was great] they are written in the book of the Kings of Juda and Israel.

12. Now Asa in the nine and thirtieth year of his reign, fell sick in his feet; his sickness was (come) to the highest: Moreover also in his sickness he sought not the LORD, but the Physicians. [that is, he did not ask counsel of God by any Prophet: He did not humbled himself by counfession of this sins, he relyed not on the Lord, neither called upon him, as he ought to have done; but relyed only on the Physicians, and on the help of man. Heb. in, or, of the Physicians.]

13. So Asa fell asleep with his Fathers: And he died in the one and fourtieth year of his reign.

14. And they buried him in his (own) sepulcher, [Heb. sepulchers. Compare 2 Kings 29.20. and see the annotate.] which he had digged for himself in the city of David, and laid him on the bed which he had filled with spices, and that of divers kinds, prepared according to the Apothecaries: And they burnt a very great burning over him. [there is, they honoured him at his burial, by burning of precious, and sweet-smelling spices. Compare below chap.21.19. Jerem.34.5.]