Verses 1-19

Reign of Asa (continued)

An account of how Asa, moved by the prophet Azariah, made a covenant to seek .the Lord.

This chapter is almost entirely supplementary to what is recorded of Asa in 1 Kings 15.

1. Azariah] not mentioned elsewhere.

3. For a long season] The writer seems to have principally in view the times of the Judges: see Judges 2:12; Judges 3:7; Judges 17:6; Judges 21:25. A teaching priest] For this function of the priesthood cp. Leviticus 10:11; Malachi 2:7.

5. No peace.. came in] i.e. travelling was unsafe: cp. Judges 5:6; Judges 6:2. The countries] i.e. the different divisions of Israel: see Judges 12:4; Judges 20, 21.

8. The prophecy of Oded] The words 'Azariah son of' have dropped out before Oded: the Vulgate has them. The cities.. taken] This seems to refer to the conquests of Abijah: 2 Chronicles 13:19.

9. The strangers] Those members of the Ten Tribes who removed to Judah on account of the calf - worship: 2 Chronicles 11:16. Simeon] The territory of Simeon must have practically belonged to Judah from the time of Jeroboam's revolt, but some Simeonites may have resided in the northern kingdom.

11. The spoil] i.e. the spoil taken from the Ethiopians: 2 Chronicles 14:13-15.

19. Five and thirtieth] This is inconsistent with the chronology given in 1 K, for Baasha died in the 26th year of Asa (1 Kings 16:8); but see on 2 Chronicles 16:1.