UNROLL
Dawn from a high hilltop in Benjamin: range after range of the hills of Judah and Israel fold away to a far, hazy horizon, the valleys still in shadow and a road like a thread far below, under a vast, calm, pale sky.

The Book of

2 Chronicles 16

The king who once cried out to the LORD now sends the temple’s silver to Damascus. A seer tells him what he has thrown away.

14 verses≈ 3 min3 peopleBSB

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1SolomonWisdom asked at Gibeon
  2. 2–5The templeBuilt on Mount Moriah
  3. 6–7DedicationIf My people humble themselves
  4. 8–9Solomon's gloryThe queen of Sheba
  5. 10–16DivisionRehoboam to AsaChapter 16
  6. 17–20JehoshaphatThe battle is God's
  7. 21–24Dark yearsJehoram to Joash
  8. 25–28Proud kingsAmaziah to Ahaz
  9. 29–32HezekiahDoors opened, Passover kept
  10. 33–35Manasseh to JosiahMercy and the Book found
  11. 36Exile and returnMay he go up

War between Asa and Baasha

In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.

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So Asa withdrew the silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he sent it with this message to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus:

From AsaTo Ben-hadad king of Aram

“Let there be a treaty between me and you as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”

2 Chronicles 16:3

And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, conquering Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.

When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and abandoned his work.

Afternoon on the hilltop at Ramah: a half-built wall of large rough-dressed stones being taken apart, and a long line of the men of Judah, young and old, carrying stones on their shoulders and timbers between pairs of men down the road southward, loaded donkeys among them.

Then King Asa brought all the men of Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had used for building. And with these materials he built up Geba and Mizpah.

Pray

When we are pressed

Asa was pressed, and he reached for silver and a powerful friend: “See, I have sent you silver and gold.” Pray that when you are pressed you would turn first to the LORD. Confess the times you have bought your own way out. And thank Him that He is strong for those whose hearts are His.

Hanani’s Message to Asa

Hanani the seer
Hanani the seer

At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa of Judah and told him, “Because you have relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand.

Were not the Cushites and Libyans a vast army with many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand.

For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him.

2 Chronicles 16:9

You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”

Asa was angry with the seer and became so enraged over this matter that he put the man in prison. And at the same time Asa oppressed some of the people.

Reflect

When the word is hard

Hanani told Asa the truth, “You have acted foolishly in this matter,” and Asa “put the man in prison.” How do you respond when someone tells you a hard truth from God’s word? Write down the name of someone whose honest counsel you need to welcome, and thank God for them.

The Death and Burial of Asa

Judah

Asa’s last years

  1. Kings of Judah

    His acts recorded

    Now the acts of Asa, from beginning to end, are indeed written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.

  2. 39th year

    Diseased in his feet

    In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his disease became increasingly severe.

Yet even in his illness he did not seek the LORD, but only the physicians.

Dusk on a rocky slope of the City of David: the dark doorway of a tomb cut into the rock, and before it a great bonfire of fragrant wood and spices burning high with smoke rising, mourners in dark wool cloaks standing far back in small groups.

So in the forty-first year of his reign, Asa died and rested with his fathers. And he was buried in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier that was full of spices and various blended perfumes; then they made a great fire in his honor.

0:17

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Question

Quick question

Asa’s long reign ended in illness.

When Asa became diseased in his feet, where did he turn?

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2 Chronicles 16

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A verse to carry with you

For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him.

2 Chronicles 16:9

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