2 Chronicles 15:5

_BUT WHEN THEY IN THEIR TROUBLE DID TURN UNTO THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL, AND SOUGHT HIM, HE WAS FOUND OF THEM._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

Verse 2 Chronicles 15:5. _BUT GREAT VEXATIONS_] Does not our Lord allude to this and the following verse in Matthew 24:6; Matthew 24:9; Matthew 24:13?...

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,...

AND IN THOSE TIMES THERE WAS NO PEACE TO HIM THAT WENT OUT NOR TO HIM THAT CAME IN,.... There was no safety in going abroad for travellers from one part to another on account of trade and business, the highways being infested with thieves and robbers: BUT GREAT VEXATIONS WERE UPON ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE COUNTRIES; of the country villages, which were deserted, because of the plunders and depredations of them, Judges 5:6....

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....

NO PEACE. As in the days of Deborah and Gideon (Judges 5:6; Judges 6:6). VEXATIONS. consternations. Compare Deuteronomy 7:23; 1 Samuel 5:9; Amos 3:9; Zechariah 14:13. Hebrew. _mehumah =_ specially trouble from God. THE COUNTRIES: i.e. the different tribal divisions....

_vexations_ Rather, AFFLICTIONS; cp. Acts 12:1, "to vex (R.V. -to afflict") certain of the Church." _of the countries_ R.V. OF THE LANDS. The reference is probably to the Israelite territory only; cp. 2 Chronicles 11:23 (R.V.); 2 Chronicles 34:33; and 1 Chronicles 13:2 (R.V. mg.)....

NOW FOR A LONG SEASON ISRAEL HATH BEEN WITHOUT THE TRUE GOD, &C.— It is very plain from the first verse, that Azariah was about to foretel something, as the _spirit of God came upon him;_ and therefore, as Houbigant well observes, these verses should be rendered in the future. _Now for a long time, Israel shall be,_ &c. _2 CHRONICLES 15:8. THE PROPHECY OF ODED_— _Of Azariah, the son of Oded,_ according to many of the ancient versions. See the first verse. REFLECTIONS.—1st, Not so much to congratulate them on their victory, as to admonish them of the right improvement they should make of it, the prophet Azariah met the victor host returning. 1. He let them know, that the continuance of their prosperity depended upon their perseverance in well-doing. God was now evidently among them; and while they continued to seek his fa

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