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.

And they smote {H5221} all the cities {H5892} round about {H5439} Gerar {H1642}; for the fear {H6343} of the LORD {H3068} came upon them: and they spoiled {H962} all the cities {H5892}; for there was exceeding much {H7227} spoil {H961} in them.

Then they attacked all the cities in the vicinity of G'rar, for a panic from ADONAI had overcome them. They plundered all the cities, for they were full of spoil.

and attacked all the cities around Gerar, because the terror of the LORD had fallen upon them. They plundered all the cities, since there was much plunder there.

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

Commentary

Context of 2 Chronicles 14:14

This verse describes a significant aftermath of King Asa's miraculous victory over Zerah the Ethiopian's massive army. After God delivered Judah from an overwhelming force (estimated at a million men) in a decisive battle, Asa and his army pursued the fleeing Ethiopians and then proceeded to conquer the surrounding cities. Specifically, they targeted those near Gerar in the Philistine territory, which was a strategic area. This action solidified Judah's dominance and secured their borders, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of God's blessing upon their trust and obedience.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Intervention and Fear: The phrase "for the fear of the LORD came upon them" is central to understanding this verse. It signifies that the inhabitants of these cities were not defeated solely by Judah's military might, but by a supernatural terror instilled by God. This divine intervention made their resistance weak or non-existent, allowing Judah to conquer easily and swiftly. It echoes how God often works to prepare the way for His people, causing adversaries to lose heart, as seen in other biblical victories.
  • Comprehensive Victory and Abundant Spoil: The smiting and spoiling of "all the cities" highlights a total and complete victory. The phrase "exceeding much spoil" indicates a vast amount of plunder—livestock, goods, and wealth—that was taken. This served as both a practical resource for Judah and a tangible sign of God's provision and reward for their faith and obedience. This abundance underscores the generosity of God's blessings when His people rely on Him.
  • Consequence of Trust in God: King Asa had earlier cried out to the Lord and trusted in Him, acknowledging that strength comes from God alone (2 Chronicles 14:11). This verse, therefore, is a direct result of that profound faith and God's faithfulness to His covenant, illustrating that divine favor brings not only deliverance but also prosperity.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "fear of the LORD" (pachad YHWH) often carries the dual meaning of reverential awe towards God and, in the context of enemies, a paralyzing terror. Here, it is clearly the latter, indicating that God directly intervened to break the will and courage of Judah's adversaries. The word "spoil" (Hebrew: shalal) refers to the plunder taken from a defeated enemy, which was a common practice in ancient warfare and often seen as a sign of divine favor and blessing upon the victors.

Practical Application

2 Chronicles 14:14 offers powerful insights for believers today:

  • God Fights Our Battles: Just as God instilled fear in Judah's enemies, He can remove obstacles and soften hearts that stand against His purposes for us. Our trust in Him can lead to victories beyond our natural capabilities, reminding us that the battle belongs to the Lord.
  • Blessings Follow Obedience: The abundance of spoil illustrates that God's faithfulness to His people often results in tangible blessings and provision, especially when we prioritize seeking His will and relying on His strength. Our spiritual and material needs can be met in unexpected ways when we walk in faith.
  • Total Victory: Sometimes, God's deliverance is not just about overcoming the immediate threat, but also about securing a wider sphere of influence or blessing. When God gives victory, it is often thorough and complete. This encourages us to trust Him for comprehensive solutions to our challenges, knowing He can provide exceeding abundantly beyond all we ask or think.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • 2 Chronicles 17:10

    ¶ And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

  • Genesis 35:5

    And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that [were] round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.

  • 2 Chronicles 20:29

    And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of [those] countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.

  • Joshua 2:24

    And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.

  • 2 Kings 7:6

    For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, [even] the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.

  • 2 Kings 7:8

    And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid [it]; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence [also], and went and hid [it].

  • 2 Kings 7:16

    And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was [sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.
← Back