2 Chronicles 16

This chapter deals with King Asa's later years, highlighting his failure to trust God when confronted with external threats. After his earlier faithfulness, Asa turns to human alliances and physicians instead of seeking God. The chapter warns of the consequences of relying on human strength rather than divine guidance.

2 Chronicles 16:1-5 (NKJV)
1 In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
2 Then Asa brought silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the Lord and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben-Hadad king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying,
3 “Let there be a treaty between you and me, as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold; come, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”
4 So Ben-Hadad heeded King Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel. They attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim, and all the storage cities of Naphtali.
5 Now it happened, when Baasha heard it, that he stopped building Ramah and ceased his work.

In these verses, King Baasha of Israel seeks to block Judah's trade and movement by fortifying Ramah, a key location near the border. Instead of seeking God’s help, Asa resorts to bribing Ben-Hadad of Syria with temple treasures to break his alliance with Israel. Ben-Hadad agrees and attacks several cities in Israel, causing Baasha to abandon his construction of Ramah. While Asa’s strategy is effective, his reliance on human alliances instead of divine intervention marks a spiritual decline.

2 Chronicles 16:6 (NKJV)
6 Then King Asa took all Judah, and they carried away the stones and timber of Ramah, which Baasha had used for building; and with them he built Geba and Mizpah.

After Baasha’s withdrawal, Asa capitalizes on the situation by dismantling the fortifications of Ramah and using the materials to strengthen Geba and Mizpah, two key locations in Judah. This action shows Asa’s practicality in securing his kingdom, but it further highlights his dependence on human wisdom and effort rather than God.

2 Chronicles 16:7 (NKJV)
7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand.

The prophet Hanani rebukes Asa for his lack of faith in God. By turning to the king of Syria instead of seeking divine help, Asa not only missed an opportunity to defeat both Syria and Israel but also displayed a serious spiritual failure. This verse introduces the consequences of Asa’s choice, emphasizing the need to rely on God, even in political or military crises.

2 Chronicles 16:8-9 (NKJV)
8 Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand.
9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

Hanani reminds Asa of his earlier victory over the vast Ethiopian army, which was achieved by relying on God. He contrasts that past success with Asa’s current failure to trust God, showing how Asa’s foolishness will lead to ongoing conflict. This passage stresses God’s readiness to support those who are faithful to Him and the consequences of turning away from His help.

2 Chronicles 16:10 (NKJV)
10 Then Asa was angry with the seer, and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him because of this. And Asa oppressed some of the people at that time.

Instead of repenting, Asa responds with anger and imprisons the prophet Hanani. His frustration leads to further injustice as he oppresses some of his people. This verse marks Asa’s hardening heart and his inability to accept correction, which deepens his spiritual downfall.

2 Chronicles 16:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Note that the acts of Asa, first and last, are indeed written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
12 And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians.

These verses summarize Asa’s reign and highlight his persistent refusal to turn to God. Even in his physical suffering, Asa relies solely on physicians instead of seeking divine healing. His failure to turn to God for help in his illness is symbolic of his spiritual condition in his later years, as he continues to trust in human solutions over divine intervention.

2 Chronicles 16:13-14 (NKJV)
13 So Asa rested with his fathers; he died in the forty-first year of his reign.
14 They buried him in his own tomb which he had made for himself in the City of David; and they laid him in the bed which was filled with spices and various ingredients prepared in a mixture of ointments. They made a very great burning for him.

Asa’s death is marked by an honorable burial, with spices and a public burning, a sign of respect for a king. Despite his later failures, Asa was still remembered for his earlier reforms and leadership. However, his story serves as a cautionary tale of how even a good king can falter when he stops relying on God and begins to trust in human strength.