2 Chronicles 14:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 14:13 vividly describes the decisive culmination of God's miraculous intervention on behalf of King Asa and Judah against the formidable Cushite (Ethiopian) invasion. Following Asa's humble prayer and reliance on the Lord, this verse details the relentless pursuit of the routed enemy, their utter and irreversible destruction attributed directly to divine power, and the immense spoils collected, signifying God's complete victory and provision for His faithful people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the powerful climax to the narrative of Zerah the Cushite's invasion of Judah. It immediately follows the account of the Cushite army's overwhelming size (a million men and three hundred chariots, [2 Chronicles 14:9](/2_chronicles/14-9 "2 Chronicles 14:9 - Zerah's Vast Army")), King Asa's desperate yet faithful prayer to the Lord for help against impossible odds ([2 Chronicles 14:11](/2_chronicles/14-11 "2 Chronicles 14:11 - Asa's Prayer of Faith")), and God's direct intervention in striking the Cushites before Asa and Judah ([2 Chronicles 14:12](/2_chronicles/14-12 "2 Chronicles 14:12 - God Strikes the Cushites")). Verse 13 details the aftermath of this divine striking, emphasizing the pursuit and total annihilation of the enemy, leading directly into the subsequent verses which describe Asa and Judah's further destruction of surrounding cities and the collection of even more spoil ([2 Chronicles 14:14-15](/2_chronicles/14-14 "2 Chronicles 14:14-15 - Further Conquest and Spoil")). It underscores the theme that God fights for those who trust in Him.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Asa reigned over Judah during the divided monarchy (c. 913-873 BC). His early reign was marked by religious reforms, removing idolatry and promoting true worship of Yahweh. The invasion by Zerah the Cushite represents a significant external threat from the south. Cush (often translated as Ethiopia) was a powerful kingdom located south of Egypt, known for its military strength. Gerar, mentioned as the extent of the pursuit, was a Philistine city in the Negev region, indicating that the pursuit extended far beyond Judah's immediate borders, deep into enemy-controlled or allied territory. The collection of "spoil" was a common practice in ancient warfare, serving not only as economic gain but also as a tangible sign of victory, divine favor, and the humiliation of the defeated enemy.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme is **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention**, powerfully articulated by the phrase "destroyed before the LORD." This highlights that the victory was not merely a result of Judah's military prowess but a direct act of God, reinforcing the biblical truth that salvation belongs to the Lord ([Psalm 3:8](/psalm/3-8 "Psalm 3:8 - Salvation Belongs to the Lord")). Another prominent theme is the **Power of Faith and Prayer**, as Asa's humble dependence on God in [2 Chronicles 14:11](/2_chronicles/14-11 "2 Chronicles 14:11 - Asa's Prayer") directly precedes this overwhelming victory, demonstrating God's responsiveness to sincere trust. The **Total Defeat of God's Enemies** is emphasized through phrases like "could not recover themselves" and "destroyed," signifying an irreversible rout. Finally, the **Blessings of Obedience and Divine Provision** are evident in the "very much spoil" carried away, serving as a tangible reward for Judah's faithfulness and a testament to God's generosity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Overthrown (Hebrew, _nagaph'_):** This verb signifies a divine striking, smiting, or inflicting a plague or defeat. It is often used in contexts where God actively intervenes to defeat an enemy or bring judgment (e.g., [Exodus 12:23](/exodus/12-23 "Exodus 12:23 - The Lord Strikes Egypt")). Here, it underscores that the Cushite army's defeat was not accidental or merely human-initiated, but a direct, powerful blow from God.
* **Destroyed (Hebrew, _shabar'_):** Meaning to break, shatter, or utterly demolish, this word emphasizes the absolute and complete nature of the Cushite army's defeat. It implies a crushing blow from which there is no recovery, ensuring that this particular threat was neutralized entirely.
* **His host (Hebrew, _tsaba'_):** While "host" can refer to a human army, in the context of "before the LORD, and before his host," it carries a strong theological implication. It could refer to the Israelite army acting as God's instrument, or, more profoundly, to unseen angelic forces fighting alongside Judah, making the victory truly a divine-human collaboration, led by God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Asa and the people that [were] with him pursued them unto Gerar":** This clause highlights the active and relentless nature of Judah's pursuit. It wasn't merely a defensive victory; Asa's army capitalized on God's initial striking, driving the enemy far into their own territory or that of their allies, demonstrating the completeness of the rout and preventing any regrouping. Gerar marks the deep extent of this pursuit.
* **"and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves":** This describes the immediate and devastating effect of God's intervention. The Cushite army was not just repelled but utterly incapacitated. The phrase "could not recover themselves" emphasizes the irreversible nature of their defeat; they were so thoroughly broken that they posed no further threat.
* **"for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host":** This is the crucial explanatory clause, providing the theological reason for the Cushites' complete collapse. The victory is unequivocally attributed to God's direct action. The repetition of "before the LORD" underscores His active presence and leadership in the battle, while "before his host" (whether referring to Israel's army as God's instrument or divine angelic forces) further magnifies the divine authorship of the triumph.
* **"and they carried away very much spoil":** This final clause details the tangible outcome and reward of the victory. The "very much spoil" signifies the immense wealth and resources acquired from the defeated army, serving as a material blessing from God and a clear sign of His favor and provision for His faithful people.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Hyperbole** is evident in the implied scale of the victory, given the initial overwhelming numbers of the Cushite army; their total destruction suggests an almost unimaginable level of divine intervention. The phrase "destroyed before the LORD, and before his host" functions as a form of **Divine Attribution**, explicitly crediting God as the primary agent of victory, thereby elevating the narrative beyond a mere military triumph to a theological statement about God's power and faithfulness. This also hints at a **Theophany** or divine manifestation, suggesting God's tangible presence in the battle. Furthermore, the verse uses **Cause and Effect**, where Asa's prior faith and prayer (the cause) directly lead to God's intervention, the enemy's total destruction, and the acquisition of abundant spoil (the effects).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly illustrates God's active involvement in the affairs of His people, particularly when they rely on Him in faith. It teaches that true victory, especially against overwhelming odds, is not achieved by human might or strategic brilliance alone, but by the sovereign power of God. When His people humble themselves and seek His face, God is not only able but willing to fight their battles, bringing about complete deliverance and even abundant provision. This narrative serves as a powerful testament to the principle that God delights in demonstrating His strength through human weakness, ensuring that the glory for the victory belongs to Him alone.

* [Deuteronomy 28:7](/deuteronomy/28-7 "Descriptive Title")
* [Psalm 44:6](/psalm/44-6 "Descriptive Title")
* [Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Descriptive Title")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Asa's victory over the Cushites in 2 Chronicles 14:13 offers profound encouragement for believers facing seemingly insurmountable challenges today. Just as Asa faced a million-man army with limited resources, we often encounter "Ethiopians" in our lives—overwhelming problems, spiritual battles, or systemic injustices that feel too big to conquer. This verse reminds us that our hope is not in our strength, ingenuity, or numbers, but in the omnipotent God who fights for us. When we, like Asa, turn to the Lord in humble dependence and unwavering faith, He promises not just to defend us, but to grant decisive victory and even abundant "spoil"—spiritual blessings, peace, and renewed strength. It calls us to active faith, not passive resignation, knowing that God's power enables us to pursue and overcome what once seemed impossible.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Ethiopians" or overwhelming challenges are you facing in your life right now?**
* **How does Asa's example of crying out to the Lord challenge your approach to difficult situations?**
* **In what ways can you actively "pursue" the victory God has already won for you, rather than merely defending your position?**
* **What does it mean to experience the "spoil" of God's victory in your current circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Who were "the Ethiopians" mentioned here?**

Answer: The "Ethiopians" in this context refer to the Cushites, a powerful people from the ancient kingdom of Cush (Nubia), located south of Egypt. They were led by Zerah, whose vast army invaded Judah. The Hebrew term used is _Kushiy_, which is consistently translated as Cushite or Ethiopian.

**What does "destroyed before the LORD, and before his host" mean?**

Answer: This phrase is crucial for understanding the theological significance of the victory. It emphatically attributes the complete destruction of the Cushite army directly to God's intervention. "Before the LORD" signifies God's active presence and leadership in the battle, implying that He Himself fought on behalf of Judah. "And before his host" could refer to the Israelite army acting as God's instrument, or, more profoundly, it might allude to unseen angelic forces fighting alongside Asa's army, making the victory a truly divine triumph. It underscores that the victory was not by human might but by divine power, as Asa himself acknowledged in [2 Chronicles 14:11](/2_chronicles/14-11 "2 Chronicles 14:11 - Asa's Prayer").

**Why is the spoil emphasized?**

Answer: The emphasis on "very much spoil" serves multiple purposes. Culturally, spoil was a common outcome of war, but in this biblical narrative, it functions as a tangible sign of God's blessing and provision. It demonstrates the completeness of the victory, as the defeated enemy's resources were now transferred to God's people. Spiritually, it symbolizes the abundant reward and material blessing that often accompany faithfulness and obedience to God, reinforcing the theme that God not only delivers but also provides generously for those who trust in Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The decisive victory of King Asa over the Cushites, divinely empowered and resulting in immense spoil, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and complete triumph of Jesus Christ. Just as Asa faced an overwhelming physical enemy, humanity faced an insurmountable spiritual foe in sin, death, and the devil. No human king or army could achieve true and lasting victory over these spiritual adversaries. However, Christ, the true and greater King, entered the battle not with chariots and horses, but through His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection. Through His atoning work, Jesus "overthrew" and "destroyed" the power of sin ([Romans 6:6](/romans/6-6 "Romans 6:6 - Sin's Power Broken")), death ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")), and the one who holds the power of death, the devil ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ Destroys the Devil's Power")). His victory was "before the LORD" in the most profound sense, as it was God's plan and power that accomplished salvation. The "very much spoil" carried away by Asa's army finds its ultimate fulfillment in the spiritual riches and blessings bestowed upon believers through Christ's victory—forgiveness of sins, eternal life, the indwelling Holy Spirit, peace with God, and adoption into His family ([Ephesians 1:3-14](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3-14 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). We, as Christ's "host," share in His triumph and inherit the spoils of His unparalleled conquest.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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?