2 Chronicles 14:13

And Asa and the people that [were] with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.

And Asa {H609} and the people {H5971} that were with him pursued {H7291} them unto Gerar {H1642}: and the Ethiopians {H3569} were overthrown {H5307}, that they could not recover {H4241} themselves; for they were destroyed {H7665} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}, and before {H6440} his host {H4264}; and they carried away {H5375} very {H3966} much {H7235} spoil {H7998}.

Asa and the army with him pursued them to G'rar, and the Ethiopians were defeated beyond recovery; they were shattered before ADONAI and his army, who carried off much spoil.

Then Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar. The Cushites fell and could not recover, for they were crushed before the LORD and His army. So the people of Judah carried off a great amount of plunder

And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and there fell of the Ethiopians so many that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before Jehovah, and before his host; and they carried away very much booty.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 14:13 describes the decisive aftermath of a pivotal battle during the reign of King Asa of Judah. After a massive invasion by Zerah the Ethiopian (or Cushite), King Asa, who had cried out to the Lord in faith, witnessed a miraculous victory.

Context

This verse follows the account of Zerah the Ethiopian's invasion of Judah with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots (2 Chronicles 14:9). Faced with overwhelming odds, King Asa did not rely on his own strength but sought the Lord, acknowledging God's power to help the powerless. The Lord responded by striking the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah, leading to their complete rout.

Key Themes

  • Divine Victory and Sovereignty: The phrase "destroyed before the LORD" emphatically attributes the overwhelming defeat of the Ethiopians to God's direct intervention. It highlights that the battle was not won by human might alone, but by divine power. This reinforces the biblical theme that some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
  • Consequences of Faith: Asa's profound faith and reliance on God (as seen in his prayer in verse 11) led directly to this incredible deliverance and total victory.
  • Total Annihilation of the Enemy: The statement "they could not recover themselves" underscores the completeness of the defeat. The Ethiopian army was not merely repelled but utterly shattered, preventing any future threat from this force.
  • Abundant Spoil: The phrase "carried away very much spoil" signifies the full extent of the victory and God's provision. It was a tangible reward and a sign of God's blessing upon His faithful people.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Ethiopians" refers to the people of Cush (Hebrew: Kushiy), a powerful nation to the south of Egypt. The verb "overthrown" (Hebrew: nagaph) implies a divine striking or smiting, often associated with God inflicting a plague or defeat. Similarly, "destroyed" (Hebrew: shabar) means to break, shatter, or utterly demolish, emphasizing the absolute nature of the defeat. The repeated emphasis "before the LORD, and before his host" powerfully communicates God's active presence and leadership in the battle, possibly referring to the Israelite army as God's instrument or even unseen angelic forces.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful encouragement for believers today. When facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, whether personal, spiritual, or communal, we are reminded that if God is for us, who can be against us? Asa's story teaches us the importance of prayer and unwavering trust in God's power, even when our own resources are insufficient. Just as God granted total victory and abundant spoil to Asa, He can grant us triumph over our spiritual enemies and bless us with the "spoil" of spiritual growth, peace, and renewed strength when we rely on Him.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 10:19

    And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.

  • Genesis 20:1

    ¶ And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.

  • Genesis 26:1

    ¶ And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.

  • 2 Chronicles 14:14

    And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.

  • Job 6:9

    Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

  • Job 9:4

    [He is] wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened [himself] against him, and hath prospered?

  • Psalms 108:11

    [Wilt] not [thou], O God, [who] hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?
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