Main Highlights
Asa turns away from the Lord, trusting in an alliance with Syria instead, and is rebuked by the prophet Hanani. He dies diseased and unrepentant.
Key Verses
In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.- 2 Chronicles 16:1 Then Asa took silver and gold from the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house and sent them to Ben-hadad king of Syria, who lived in Damascus, saying, “Let there be a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Behold, I am sending to you silver and gold. Go, break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, that he may withdraw from me.”- 2 Chronicles 16:2-3 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, “Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you.- 2 Chronicles 16:7 Asa was angry with the seer and put him in the stocks, because he was in a rage over this. And Asa oppressed some of the people at the same time.- 2 Chronicles 16:10 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but sought help from physicians.- 2 Chronicles 16:12
Related Scripture
Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.- Jeremiah 17:5
Scholar Insight
"Asa's story serves as a cautionary tale. The Chronicler highlights the consequences of turning away from God and relying on worldly solutions. - Kenneth L. Barker and John R. Kohlenberger III, The Expositor's Bible Commentary: Volume 4 (Zondervan)"
Theological Analysis
What we learn about God
God is jealous for our devotion and is grieved when we turn away from Him. Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. (2 Chronicles 16:7)
Christological Connection
Asa's failure to rely on God points to the need for a perfect mediator and savior, Jesus Christ, who always trusts in God. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8)
Systematic Theology
The consequences of disobedience.
Law & Grace
Asa's disobedience to the law by trusting in a foreign alliance led to the withdrawal of God's grace and protection. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
Personal Application
We should examine our hearts and ensure that we are relying on God and not on worldly solutions or alliances. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)