2 Chronicles 16
In his later years, Asa makes a treaty with Aram against Israel instead of trusting God. The seer Hanani rebukes him, saying God's eyes search for those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. Asa imprisons the prophet and becomes diseased, dying without seeking God.
2 ChroniclesChapter 16 of 3614 versesBerean Standard Bible
In this passage: AsaBaashaIsraelRamahSyria
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In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.
So Asa withdrew the silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he sent it with this message to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus:
“Let there be a treaty between me and you as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”
And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, conquering Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.
When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and abandoned his work.
Then King Asa brought all the men of Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had used for building. And with these materials he built up Geba and Mizpah.
At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa of Judah and told him, “Because you have relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand.
Were not the Cushites and Libyans a vast army with many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand.
For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”
Asa was angry with the seer and became so enraged over this matter that he put the man in prison. And at the same time Asa oppressed some of the people.
Now the acts of Asa, from beginning to end, are indeed written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.
In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his disease became increasingly severe. Yet even in his illness he did not seek the LORD, but only the physicians.
So in the forty-first year of his reign, Asa died and rested with his fathers.
And he was buried in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier that was full of spices and various blended perfumes; then they made a great fire in his honor.
Read next
How to Hear God’s Voice: A Practical Guide for BelieversScripture is the record of a God who speaks. This guide covers how to hear Him today and keep what He says.Cross-references for 2 Chronicles 16
2 Chronicles 16:82 Chronicles 12:3
“with 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and countless troops who came with him out of Egypt—Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites.”
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.””
2 Chronicles 16:9Proverbs 15:3
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.”
2 Chronicles 16:12Jeremiah 17:5
“This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.”
2 Chronicles 16:122 Chronicles 28:22
“In the time of his distress, King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD.”
Cross-references from OpenBible.info, licensed CC BY.
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