2 Chronicles 15:17

_AND THEY OFFERED UNTO THE LORD THE SAME TIME, OF THE SPOIL WHICH THEY HAD BROUGHT, SEVEN HUNDRED OXEN AND SEVEN THOUSAND SHEEP._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

Verse 2 Chronicles 15:17. _THE HIGH PLACES WERE NOT TAKEN AWAY_] He had totally suppressed or destroyed the _idolatry_; but some of the _places,_ _buildings_, or _altars_, he permitted to remain....

Comparing this verse with marginal references, it would seem that in 2 Chronicles 14:3, 2 Chronicles 14:5 the intention and endeavors of the monarch are in the writer’s mind, while here he is speaking of the practice of the people. However earnestly the most pious monarchs sought to root out the high-place worship, they failed of complete success. Compare a similar discrepancy, to be similarly explained, in the history of Jehoshaphat 2 Chronicles 17:6; 2 Chronicles 20:33. THE HEART OF ASA WAS PERFECT ALL HIS DAYS - Not that Asa was si

EXPOSITION This chapter is something like an oasis in our history, and was perhaps such in the real life of Asa also. Presumably it covers a period of some twenty years. Reading between the lines, and indeed chapters, we may very well suppose that the mission of "Azariah son of Oded" to Asa now was one of all mercy. Great salvation had been shown to him and his people, and as time went on they might forget the Saviour, and imagine the work was all their own. Moreover, their own proper work had tarried, and beside caution and humility (in season for him as a returning conqueror-king, verse 2), Asa needed stimulus; perhaps the Lord's loving-kindness knew that he needed every kindly encouragement. For there are not wanting signs that he was before his people, and felt the drag of them upon him as Moses himself did. These are the features of the physical geography, so to say, of the chapter,...

2 Chronicles 15:16....

ISRAEL That is, the northen or ten-tribe kingdom....

CHAPTER 15 THE REIGN OF ASA, WARNING AND REFORMATION _ 1. The warning message of Azariah (2 Chronicles 15:1)_ 2. Asa's response and reformation (2 Chronicles 15:8) But the Lord knew the danger which threatened Asa. He had begun well. He was faithful to Jehovah, and he and the people had a wonderful demonstration that the Lord hears and answers prayer. Would he continue and end as well as he had begun? The Spirit of God came at this important time upon Azariah (whom the Lord helps). When victorious Asa returned the prophet met him and delivered his message. It was a needed and timely message, for the danger for God's people is always the greatest after a victory is won and outward success and prosperity is enjoyed. “The LORD is with you, while ye be with Him; an

The words of Azariah the son of Oded (not mentioned elsewhere) form a kind of introduction to the account of Asa's religious reforms; if the words in 2 Chronicles 15:3 refer to any definite period, it must be to that of the Judges, for the description of the state of the nation does not agree with any other period recorded in the OT. The whole of this section, however, reads like a midrashic expansion of 1 Kings 15:11....

NOT TAKEN AWAY. Not from "Israel" (2 Chronicles 15:17), but from Judah (2 Chronicles 14:3). Figure of speech _Palinodia._ App-6. PERFECT: i.e. so far as idolatry was concerned....

_the high places_ Heb. _bâmôth_. These were not necessarily places of idolatrous worship, but they were sanctuaries not authorised fey the Law; Deuteronomy 12:1-7. _Israel_ Cp. note on 2 Chronicles 11:3. _perfect_ i.e. "whole, undivided in its allegiance....