Verses 1-14

Reign of Asa (concluded)

This chapter reproduces with some verbal differences 1 Kings 15:17-24, but adds an account of a rebuke received by Asa from the seer Hanani.

1. Six and thirtieth] Since, according to 1 Kings 16:8, Baasha did not live until the 36th year of Asa. some have supposed that the six and thirtieth year is reckoned from the revolt of the Ten Tribes.

4. The store cities of Naphtali] LXX suggests that the true reading is 'the surrounding parts of Naphtali.'

7. Hanani] Nothing is known of him beyond what is here related, and the fact that he was the father of the prophet Jehu (2 Chronicles 19:2). Because thou hast relied] cp. the similar protests of Isaiah against reliance upon foreign support instead of upon the Lord (Isaiah 30:1; Isaiah 31:1). The host of.. Syria] The prophet seems to imply that Asa might have beaten both Israel and Syria, if he had trusted in the Lord.

8. Lubims] These were not amongst the forces of Zerah (2 Chronicles 14:9), but those of Shishak (2 Chronicles 12:3).

12. Sought not to the Lord] Contrast the conduct of Hezekiah in his sickness: see 2 Kings 20:2.

14. A very great burning] i.e. of the spices previously mentioned: cp. Jeremiah 34:5. The bodies of the dead were not ordinarily burnt but buried; the burning of the bodies of Saul and Jonathan (1 Samuel 31:12) was exceptional.