1Abijah dieth; Asa succeeding destroyeth idolatry. 6Having peace he strengtheneth his kingdom with forts. 8His army. 9Attacked by Zerah the Ethiopian, he calleth upon God, and smiting the Ethiopians bringeth away much spoil.
1SO Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asaa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet 1ten years.
a 1 Kings 15:8, etc.
1 Understand this of the first years of this king’s reign, wherein he was left alone and unmolested by the pagan nations; although there was enmity between him and Baasha, the king of Israel, which indeed caused outbreaks on both sides, but did not break out in open war. See verse 6, and compare the annotation at 1 Kings 15 on verse 16.
2And Asa did that which was 2good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God:
2 See 1 Kings 11 on verse 33; but understand this commendation here mostly of the reforming of religion that was fallen to decay. Also 2 Chron. 25:2; 26:4.
3For heb took away the altars of the 3strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:
b 1 Kings 15:13.
3 Namely, either nations, that worshipped idols, which those of Judah did imitate, or gods, which they worshipped after the manner of the heathen, and are called idols, 1 Kings 15:12.
4And 4commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do 5the law and the commandment.
4 That is, caused it to be told, or to be charged upon all the subjects of his kingdom.
5 That is, that they would keep and practice what was commanded in the law. Compare Joshua 22:5; 2 Chron. 31:21.
5Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah 6the high places and the 7images: and the kingdom was quiet 8before him.
6 See Lev. 26 on verse 30.
7 See Lev. 26 on verse 30.
8 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 establishes the throne of kings.
6¶And he built 9fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.
9 Hebr. cities of defense or strength. The meaning is: that he enclosed some open cities, and made weak ones strong. Compare 2 Chron. 11:5.
7Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build 10these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, 11while 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.
10 The word these intimates that the cities here mentioned, were yet in existence, and that consequently the building of them is to be understood of their fortifying, as the following words do also import.
11 That is, whilst we may yet peaceably possess and enjoy the land. Compare Gen. 13 on verse 9.
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 12bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were 13mighty men of valour.
12 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; 1 Chron. 8 on verse 40.
13 That is, warlike and valiant soldiers. It seems that Asa gathered and equipped these forces, when he understood that the king of the Ethiopians intended to raid upon him.
9¶Andc there came out against them Zerah the 14Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto 15Mareshah.
c 2 Chron. 16:8.
14 Or, Arabian. Hebr. Cushi. See Num. 12 on verse 1.
15 A city situated in the tribe of Judah. See 2 Chron. 11 on verse 8.
10Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of 16Zephathah at Mareshah.
16 Other, towards Zephath. See Judges 1 on verse 17.
11And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, 17it is nothing with thee to help, 18whetherd with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and 19in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man 20prevail 21against thee.
17 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 Thyself against him. Or thus: is it not with thee to help, etc.
18 Hebr. between the mighty one, him that hath no power.
d 1 Sam. 14:6.
19 That is, according to Thy will, under Thy conduct, in the confidence of Thy help, to Thy glory. See 2 Kings 2 on verse 24.
20 Or, have the upper hand.
21 That is, against Thy people. Evil done to the people of God, is done to God Himself, Zech. 2:8; Acts 9:5.
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 22Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not 23recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and 24they carried away very much spoil.
22 See of this city Gen. 20 on verse 1.
23 Hebr. no making alive, or liveliness, that is, no strength to recover themselves, and to rally again together, that they might reiterate, or resume the battle. It is said thus: And Joab made the rest of the city alive, 1 Chron. 11:8, see the annotation there.
24 Namely, those of Judah.
14And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for 25the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
25 That is, a very great terror, sent by God, fell upon them. Compare Gen. 35:5 and see the annotation thereon. Also 2 Chron. 17:10; 20:29.
15They smote also the 26tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.
26 That is, the inhabitants of tents. Understand the Arabians, who dwelt in tents on the borders of the Edomites and the Philistines, to which the Moors, being beaten, perhaps were fled; or, it may be understood of the Arabians themselves, 1 Chron. 4:41.