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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comKeil and Delitzsch Commentary - 2 Chronicles 14:1 - 14:1
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2Ch 14:1-3
Asa's efforts for the abolition of idolatry and the establishment of the kingdom. - 2Ch 14:1-4. The good and right in God's eyes which Asa did is further defined in 2Ch 14:2-4. He abolished all the objects of the idolatrous worship. The “altars of the strangers” are altars consecrated to foreign gods; from them the בָּמֹות, high places, are distinguished-these latter being illegal places of sacrifice connected with the worship of Jahve (see on 1Ki 15:14). The מַצֵּבֹוה are the statues or monumental columns consecrated to Baal, and אֲשֵׁרִים the wooden idols, tree-trunks, or trees, which were consecrated to Astarte (see on 1Ki 14:23 and Deu 16:21). Asa at the same time commanded the people to worship Jahve, the God of the fathers, and to follow the law.
2Ch 14:4-6
He removed from all the cities of Judah the altars of the high places, and the חַמָּנִים, sun-pillars, pillars or statues consecrated to Baal as sun-god, which were erected near or upon the altars of Baal (2Ch 34:4; see on Lev 26:30). In consequence of this the kingdom had rest לְפָנָיו, before him, i.e., under his oversight (cf. Num 8:22). This ten-years' quiet (2Ch 14:1) which God granted him, Asa employed in building fortresses in Judah (2Ch 14:5). “We will build these cities, and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bolts.” It is not said what the cities were, but they were at any rate others than Geba and Mizpah, which he caused to be built after the war with Baasha (2Ch 16:6). “The land is still before us,” i.e., open, free from enemies, so that we may freely move about, and build therein according to our pleasure. For the phraseology, cf. Gen 13:9. The repetition of דָּרַשְׁנוּ, 2Ch 14:6, is impassioned speech. “They built and had success;” they built with effect, without meeting with any hindrances.
2Ch 14:7
Asa had also a well-equipped, well-armed army. The men of Judah were armed with a large shield and lance (cf. 1Ch 12:24), the Benjamites with a small shield and bow (cf. 1Ch 8:40). The numbers are great; of Judah 300,000, of Benjamin 280,000 men. Since in these numbers the whole population capable of bearing arms is included, 300,000 men does not appear too large for Judah, but 280,000 is a very large number for Benjamin, and is founded probably on an overestimate.