Verses 1-14

3. Asa"s failure ch16

Three parts also mark this record of the later period of Asa"s reign: his war with Baasha ( 2 Chronicles 16:1-6), Hanani"s sermon ( 2 Chronicles 16:7-10), and the conclusion of his reign ( 2 Chronicles 16:11-14).

Asa"s heart was right in that he consistently loved God. Nevertheless, like David, his obedience lapsed. He trusted in a foreign alliance and later in physicians more than in Yahweh. This resulted in defeat and death.

"Asa, then, has done a complete volte-face from his earlier faithfulness. It is as if we meet two altogether different Asas. He appeared first in the strength of God-reliance, now in the weakness of self-reliance." [Note: McConville, p174.]

Rather than confessing his guilt, Asa became angry and oppressed his own kingdom. It may have looked for a while as if Asa was the Son of David who would perfectly trust and obey God. Unfortunately he did not remain faithful.

"Just as the Chronicler inserted Azariah"s sermon in 2 Chronicles 15:2-7 to interpret to his readers the positive period of Asa"s reign, so here he draws out the lessons to be learned from his falling away." [Note: Williamson, 1,2 . . ., p274.]

"There are some occasions in the Bible when a person"s handling of some small matter is taken as an indication of his capacity to handle a large one (e.g. Matthew 25:21; Matthew 25:23; Jeremiah 12:5). Asa, however, having passed the sternest of tests first (by withstanding Zerah), fails a comparatively trivial one." [Note: McConville, p175.]

2 Chronicles 16:9 is especially noteworthy (cf. Zechariah 4:10). No problem can arise for God"s people of which He is not aware and out of which He cannot deliver them if they commit themselves to Him fully (cf. Romans 8:28). 2 Chronicles 16:10 records the first persecution of a prophet, but many others followed (cf. 1 Kings 22:27; Mark 6:17-18).

Asa was one of Judah"s best kings, but he failed as did all the rest.