2 Chronicles 15:19 - Asa's Reforms
And there was no war
This phrase highlights a period of peace, which is significant in the biblical narrative. In the context of the Old Testament, peace is often seen as a blessing from God, a result of obedience and faithfulness to His commandments. The absence of war suggests a time of stability and prosperity for the kingdom of Judah under King Asa's rule. This peace can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to His people when they follow His ways, as seen in Leviticus 26:6, where God promises peace in the land if the Israelites obey Him.
until the thirty-fifth year
The specific mention of the thirty-fifth year of Asa's reign provides a chronological marker that helps to situate this period of peace within the larger historical context of the divided kingdom. Asa's reign is noted for religious reforms and efforts to return Judah to the worship of Yahweh, as detailed earlier in 2 Chronicles 14 and 15. The thirty-fifth year marks a significant duration of peace, indicating the effectiveness of Asa's reforms and his reliance on God. This timeframe also serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of Israel's history, where periods of faithfulness and peace are often followed by times of disobedience and conflict.
of Asa’s reign
King Asa was the third king of the Kingdom of Judah and is remembered for his commitment to religious reform and his efforts to rid the land of idolatry. His reign is characterized by a return to the worship of the Lord and the removal of foreign altars and high places. Asa's leadership is often contrasted with that of other kings who led Israel and Judah into idolatry. His reign is a type of Christ in that he sought to purify the worship of God and lead his people in righteousness, reflecting the ultimate purification and leadership that Christ brings. Asa's reliance on God during his reign, especially in times of conflict, is a model of faith and dependence on divine strength rather than human power.
Persons / Places / Events
1. Asa
Asa was the king of Judah who reigned for 41 years. He is noted for his religious reforms and efforts to rid Judah of idolatry, seeking to restore the worship of Yahweh.
2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. During Asa's reign, Judah experienced a period of peace and religious reform.
3. Peace during Asa's Reign
The verse highlights a period of peace in Judah, lasting until the thirty-fifth year of Asa's reign, which was a result of Asa's faithfulness and reforms.
Teaching Points
The Blessing of Obedience
Asa's reign demonstrates that obedience to God and commitment to His commandments can lead to peace and stability. Believers are encouraged to seek God's will and follow His ways to experience His blessings.
The Importance of Spiritual Reforms
Asa's removal of idols and dedication to restoring true worship highlights the need for spiritual renewal in our lives. Christians are called to examine their hearts and remove anything that hinders their relationship with God.
The Role of Leadership in Spiritual Health
Asa's leadership was crucial in guiding Judah back to God. This underscores the importance of godly leadership in families, churches, and communities to foster spiritual growth and peace.
The Temporary Nature of Earthly Peace
While Asa experienced a long period of peace, it was not permanent. This reminds believers that true and lasting peace is found only in Christ, and earthly peace is temporary.
Lists and Questions
Top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 15How can 2 Chronicles 16:1 claim Baasha attacked Judah in Asa’s thirty-sixth year if 1 Kings 15:33 indicates Baasha died years earlier? What evidence, if any, supports the sudden peace and prosperity described in 2 Chronicles 15:15, given the frequent conflicts in the region at that time?In 1 Kings 15:14, why are the high places said to remain, yet 2 Chronicles 14:3 claims Asa removed them?Why do we see God condemning Asa's alliance with a foreign ruler in 2 Chronicles 16:7, when similar alliances aren't rebuked elsewhere?
(19) And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.--Literally, and war arose not until, etc. This statement appears to refer back to 2Chronicles 15:15 : "And the Lord gave them rest round about;" and so to assign the limit of that period of peace, which ensued after the defeat of Zeran.
In 1Kings 15:16 we find a different statement: "And war continued between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days," a statement which is repeated in 1Kings 15:32 of the same chapter.
The chronicler has evidently modified the older text, in order to assign a precise date to the outbreak of active hostilities between the two monarchs. (Both 1Kings 15:16 and the present 2Chronicles 15:19 begin with the same two Hebrew words, meaning "and war was," but the chronicler inserts a not). . . .
Verse 19. - There was no more war. The Hebrew text should be adhered to, which simply says, there was not war unto, etc The five and thirtieth year. There can be little doubt that the text originally said "twentieth," not "thirtieth" (see also 2 Chronicles 16-1). The parallel, after the identical words Of the previous verse already noted, goes on emphatically to speak of the fact that "there was war between Asa and Baasha all their days;" and the same statement is repeated in the thirty-second verse of the sa1 Kings 15:16, 32). The following verse (33) says that Baasha's twenty-four-year reign began in Asa's third year. Putting the various and apparently somewhat varying statements together, they must be held to say, first, that a state of war was, indeed, chronic between Asa and Baasha (which way of putting need not disturb the correctness of 2 Chronicles 14:5, 6, and of the fifteenth verse of our chapter), but that in the six and twentieth year of Asa, which would be the last or last but one of Baasha's life, latent war gave place to active hostilities, and Baasha (2 Chronicles 16:1) came up to Judah to invade it, and to build Ramah - a course of conduct which was the beginning of the end for him (comp. 1 Kings 16:8; our ver. 10; and 2 Chronicles 16:1, 9).
Hebrew
And there was
הָיָ֑תָה (hā·yā·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be
no
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
war
וּמִלְחָמָ֖ה (ū·mil·ḥā·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war
until
עַ֛ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while
the thirty-fifth
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים (šə·lō·šîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 7970: Thirty, thirtieth
year
שְׁנַת־ (šə·naṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8141: A year
of Asa’s
אָסָֽא׃ (’ā·sā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 609: Asa -- perhaps 'healer', an Israelite name
reign.
לְמַלְכ֥וּת (lə·mal·ḵūṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4438: Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom
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2 Chronicles 15:19 Catholic BibleOT History: 2 Chronicles 15:19 There was no more war to (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)