2 Chronicles 14:7

_THEREFORE HE SAID UNTO JUDAH, LET US BUILD THESE CITIES, AND MAKE ABOUT THEM WALLS, AND TOWERS, GATES, AND BARS, WHILE THE LAND IS YET BEFORE US; BECAUSE WE HAVE SOUGHT THE LORD OUR GOD, WE HAVE SOUGHT HIM, AND HE HATH GIVEN US REST ON EVERY SIDE. SO THEY BUILT AND PROSPERED._ While the land is yet before us - i:e., while we have free and undisputed progress everywhere; no foe is near; but, as this happy time of peace may not lest always, and the kingdom is but small and weak, let us prepare suitable defenses in case of need. He had also an army of 580,000 men. Judah furnished the heavy armed soldiers, and Benjamin the archers. This large number does not mean a body of professional soldiers, such as compose European armies, but all capable of bearing arms, and liable to be called into service....

THE LAND IS YET BEFORE US - i. e., “unoccupied by an enemy” - “the land is open to us to go where we please.” Compare Genesis 13:9. The fortification of the strongholds would be an act of rebellion against Egypt, and it might be expected that the Egyptians would endeavor to put a stop to it....

EXPOSITION This chapter commences Asa's long reign of forty-one years. Asa was son of Abijah and grandson of Maachah (2 Chronicles 15:16; 1 Kings 15:13). The reign was remarkable for the devotion of Asa to the true God, and for the signal successes given to him in consequence, but it did not reach its end without a mournful defection on Asa's part from trust in God (2 Chronicles 16:2, 2 Chronicles 16:12), which entailed its reward (2 Chronicles 16:9), and which has left tarnished for all ages

THEREFORE HE SAID UNTO JUDAH,.... To the nobles and principal men of the kingdom: LET US BUILD THESE CITIES; which he, no doubt, particularly mentioned by name, and pointed at; that is, repair and fortify them, and put them into a better condition of defence: AND MAKE ABOUT THEM WALLS AND TOWERS, GATES AND BARS; which are always made to fortified places, to protect the inhabitants, and keep out an enemy: WHILE THE LAND IS YET BEFORE US; in our power, no enemy in it, nor any to hinder or molest: BECAUSE WE HAVE SOUGHT THE LORD OUR GOD, WE HAVE SOUGHT HIM, AND HE HATH GIVEN US REST ON EVERY SIDE; had set up his pure worship, reformed abuses in it, and removed idolatry from it, and closely attended to the service of the sanctuary, which was well pleasing to God; the happy effect of which they experienced, rest from all their enemies round about them: so that they built, and prospered

CHAPTER 14 THE REIGN OF ASA _ 1. The death of Abijah and Asa becomes king (2 Chronicles 14:1)_ 2. The good beginning (2 Chronicles 14:2) 3. His victory over Zerah (2 Chronicles 14:9) Asa, (which means “healing” or “who will heal?”), the son of Abijah, began his reign well. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord. The strange altars, the high places and the images were taken away and the groves cut down. He was not satisfied with this work, but he also commanded Judah to seek the Lord. The land was quiet. The Lord blessed him and the land for the faithful work which had been done. “The land had rest, and he had no war in those years, because the LORD had

2 Chronicles 14:1 to 2 Chronicles 16:14. THE REIGN OF ASA (see notes on 1 Kings 15:8; 1 Kings 15:11). Most of this section has no parallel in 1 K. 2 CHRONICLES 14:1 describes Asa's loyalty to Yahweh, his defences, and his army. For the sun-images in 2 Chronicles 14:5 _cf._ Leviticus 26:30;...

GATES. double doors....

6 8 (cp. 1 Kings 15:17-22). The Defensive Measures of Asa According to 1 Kin., Asa being threatened by Baasha, king of Israel, secured himself a respite by inducing Ben-hadad of Syria with a heavy bribe to invade Baasha's dominions. On the retirement of Israel Asa built himself two fortresses on his northern frontier to secure himself against Baasha. The Chronicler seems to be referring to the same occasion, but he says nothing of Baasha, nor of the intervention of Ben-hadad, and speaks of Asa building fortresses without mentioning their number....

BECAUSE WE HAVE SOUGHT THE LORD OUR GOD, &C.— _For, because we have not forsaken the Lord our God, he hath not forsaken us, but hath given us peace on every side._ Houbigant. REFLECTIONS.—1st, Abijah left the crown at his decease to a worthy successor, whose piety and prosperity are here recorded. 1. His character was excellent. His eye was single to please God, and he met with his approbation and blessing; and so shall we, when, like him, our only great and prevailing concern is to do that which is right in the eyes of the Lord. 2. He gave a striking proof of the uprightness of his heart, in his zeal for God's service. No sooner was he come to the crown, than he abolished every monument of idolatry, which had remained since the days of Solomon, and had received the royal sanction, or at least was connived at, during the last reigns. And this reformation he carried through all his domi...

4. THE REIGN OF ASA (14-16) TEXT 2 Chronicles 14:1. So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David; and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years. 2. And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of Jehovah his God: 3. for he took away the foreign altars, and the high places, and brake down the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim, 4. and commanded Judah to seek Jehovah, the God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. 5. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun-images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. 6. And he built fortified cities in Judah; for the land was quiet, and he had no war in those years, because Jehovah had given him rest. 7, For he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars; the