TRV
Translation
King James Version
Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
Complete Jewish Bible
He removed the high places and pillars for sun-worship from all the cities of Y'hudah, and under him the kingdom was quiet.
Berean Standard Bible
He also removed the high places and incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and under him the kingdom was at peace.
American Standard Version
Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun-images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
World English Bible Messianic
Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And he tooke away out of all the cities of Iudah the hie places, and the images: therefore the kingdome was quiet before him.
Young's Literal Translation
and he turneth aside out of all cities of Judah the high places and the images, and the kingdom is quiet before him.
Study This Verse
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 14 verses 1–8
1 ¶ So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.
2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God:
3 For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:
4 And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
5 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
6 And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.
7 Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
8 And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.
Here is, I. Asa's general character (Ch2 14:2): He did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. 1. He aimed at pleasing God, studied to approve himself to him. Happy are those that walk by this rule, to do that which is right, not in their own eyes, or in the eye of the world, but in the eyes of God. 2. He saw God's eye always upon him, and that helped much to keep him to what was good and right. 3. God graciously accepted him in what he did, and approved his conduct as good and right.
II. A blessed work of reformation which he set on foot immediately upon his accession to the crown. 1. He removed and abolished idolatry. Since Solomon admitted idolatry, in the latter end of his reign, nothing had been done to suppress it, and so, we presume, it had got ground. Strange gods were worshipped and had their altars, images, and groves; and the temple service, though kept up by the priests (Ch2 13:10), was neglected by many of the people. Asa, as soon as he had power in his hands, made it his business to destroy all those idolatrous altars and images (Ch2 14:3, Ch2 14:5), they being a great provocation to a jealous God and a great temptation to a careless unthinking people. He hoped by destroying the idols to reform the idolaters, which he aimed at, rather than to ruin them. 2. He revived and established the pure worship of God; and, since the priests did their part in attending God's altars, he obliged the people to do theirs (Ch2 14:4): He commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and not the gods of the heathen, and to do the law and the commandments, that is, to observe all divine institutions, which many had utterly neglected. In doing this, the land was quiet before him, Ch2 14:5. Though they were much in love with their idols, and very loth to leave them, yet the convictions of their consciences sided with the commands of Asa, and they could not, for shame, refuse to comply with them. Note, Those that have power in their hands, and will use it vigorously for the suppression of profaneness and the reformation of manners, will not meet with so much difficulty and opposition therein as perhaps they feared. Vice is a sneaking thing, and virtue has reason enough on its side to make all iniquity stop her mouth, Psa 107:42.
III. The tranquillity of his kingdom, after constant alarms of war during the last two reigns: In his days the land was quiet ten years ( Ch2 14:1), no war with the kingdom of Israel, who did not recover the blow given them in the last reign for a great while. Abijah's victory, which was owing, under God, to his courage and bravery, laid a foundation for Asa's peace, which was the reward of his piety and reformation. Though Abijah had little religion himself, he was instrumental to prepare the way for one that had much. If Abijah had not done what he did to quiet the land, Asa could not have done what he did to reform it; for inter arma silent leges - amidst the din of arms the voice of law is unheard.
IV. The prudent improvement he made of that tranquillity: The land had rest, for the Lord had given him rest. Note, If God give quietness, who then can make trouble? Job 34:29. Those have rest indeed to whom God gives rest, peace indeed to whom Christ gives peace, not as the world giveth, Joh 14:27. Now, 1. Asa takes notice of the rest they had as the gift of God (He hath given us rest on every side. Note, God must be acknowledged with thankfulness in the rest we are blessed with, of body and mind, family and country), and as the reward of the reformation begun: Because we have sought the Lord our God, he has given us rest. Note, As the frowns and rebukes of Providence should be observed for a check to us in an evil way, so the smiles of Providence should be taken notice of for our encouragement in that which is good. See Hag 2:18, Hag 2:19; Mal 3:10. We find by experience that it is good to seek the Lord; it gives us rest. While we pursue the world we meet with nothing but vexation. 2. He consults with his people, by their representatives, how to make a good use of the present gleams of peace they enjoyed, and concludes with them, (1.) That they must not be idle, but busy. Times of rest from war should be employed in work, for we must always find ourselves something to do. In the years when he had no war he said, "Let us build; still let us be doing." When the churches had rest they were built up, Act 9:31. When the sword is sheathed take up the trowel. (2.) That they must not be secure, but prepare for wars. In times of peace we must be getting ready for trouble, expect it and lay up in store for it. [1.] He fortified his principle cities with walls, towers, gates, and bars, Ch2 14:7. "This let us do," says he, "while the land is yet before us," that is, "while we have opportunity and advantage for it and have nothing to hinder us." He speaks as if he expected that, some way or other, trouble would arise, when it would be too late to fortify, and when they would wish they had done it. So they built and prospered. [2.] He had a good army ready to bring into the field (Ch2 14:8), not a standing army, but the militia or trained-bands of the country. Judah and Benjamin were mustered severally; and Benjamin (which not long ago was called little Benjamin, Psa 68:27) had almost as many soldiers as Judah, came as near as 28 to 30, so strangely had that tribe increased of late. The blessing of God can make a little one to become a thousand. It should seem, these two tribes were differently armed, both offensively and defensively. The men of Judah guarded themselves with targets, the men of Benjamin with shields, the former of which were much larger than the latter, Kg1 10:16, Kg1 10:17. The men of Judah fought with spears when they closed in with the enemy; the men of Benjamin drew bows, to reach the enemy at a distance. Both did good service, and neither could say to the other, I have no need of thee. Different gifts and employments are for the common good.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–8. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
King Asa of Judah initiated a profound spiritual reform early in his reign, comprehensively removing the "high places" and "images" of idolatrous worship from all cities of Judah. This decisive action, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to Yahweh, resulted in a period of remarkable peace and stability for the kingdom, serving as a clear testament to the divine blessing bestowed upon a nation that aligns itself with God's commands.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Cause and Effect is prominently featured, establishing a direct correlation between Asa's actions ("he took away...the high places and the images") and the resulting state of the nation ("the kingdom was quiet before him"). This highlights the theological principle that obedience to God brings divine blessing and peace. Symbolism is also evident: the "high places" and "images" symbolize the spiritual corruption and idolatry that plagued Judah, while the "quietness" symbolizes God's favor, peace, and the flourishing that comes from covenant faithfulness. Furthermore, there is an implicit Contrast with the reigns of previous kings who often failed to fully eradicate these idolatrous elements, thereby highlighting Asa's unique zeal and the positive outcome of his comprehensive reform.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The actions of King Asa in 2 Chronicles 14:5 resonate deeply with core biblical truths about God's demand for exclusive worship, the nature of idolatry, and the blessings of obedience. God's covenant with Israel required absolute loyalty and the complete rejection of all pagan practices, as outlined in the Law. The presence of "high places" and "images" represented a fundamental breach of this covenant, inviting divine judgment. Asa's zealous removal of these abominations demonstrated a profound commitment to restoring covenant faithfulness, and God's immediate response of "quietness" underscores His faithfulness to bless those who honor Him. This period of peace allowed the kingdom to consolidate and thrive, illustrating that true security and prosperity are rooted not in military might or political maneuvering, but in spiritual alignment with the Almighty.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
King Asa's decisive actions in 2 Chronicles 14:5 serve as a timeless blueprint for spiritual purity and the pursuit of God's peace in our lives today. Just as Asa purged the physical symbols of idolatry from Judah, believers are called to identify and dismantle the "high places" and "images" that compete for ultimate devotion in their own hearts and lives. These modern idols may not be sun-pillars or Asherah poles, but they can manifest as an overreliance on wealth, status, personal achievements, comfort, or even self-righteousness—anything that subtly or overtly displaces God from His rightful, supreme position. When we actively and intentionally remove these competing affections and prioritize God above all else, aligning our lives with His will, we often experience a profound spiritual "quietness" or peace. This is not merely the absence of external turmoil, but an internal tranquility, a rest that comes from living in obedience and trusting in God's sovereign care, a peace that the world cannot give, as promised by Christ in John 14:27. It is a reminder that true security and flourishing, both individually and corporately, are found in unwavering devotion to God and the courageous pursuit of holiness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why were "high places" such a persistent problem in Israel's history, even under righteous kings?
Answer: The persistence of "high places" (בָּמָה, bâmâh) throughout Israel's history, even under kings like Asa who were largely righteous, stems from several factors. Culturally, they were deeply ingrained in the religious landscape of the ancient Near East, often predating Israel's arrival in Canaan. They served as convenient local centers of worship, making it difficult to centralize all worship at the Jerusalem Temple as commanded by the Law (Deuteronomy 12:5-7). Theologically, they became problematic because they were frequently corrupted by syncretism, blending the worship of Yahweh with pagan practices, or outright dedicated to foreign deities like Baal and Asherah. While some kings, like Asa, Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:4), and Josiah (2 Kings 23:8), made concerted efforts to remove them, their deep cultural roots, local convenience, and the pervasive influence of pagan neighbors meant they often reappeared or were tolerated by less zealous rulers. This highlights the constant struggle against idolatry and the human tendency to compromise God's commands for convenience or cultural conformity.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
King Asa's zealous removal of idolatry and the resulting "quietness" in Judah serve as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of the ultimate spiritual cleansing and peace brought about by Jesus Christ. Asa, as an earthly king, could only effect a temporary and external purification, leading to a limited, temporal peace. However, Christ, the true and eternal King, came to address the root cause of all spiritual unrest: sin itself. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus "took away" the ultimate "high places" and "images" of our hearts—the idols of self-reliance, sin, and rebellion that separate us from God (Hebrews 9:26). By His perfect obedience and the shedding of His blood, He has purified us from our sins, making us holy and blameless before God (Colossians 1:22). The "quietness" that Judah experienced under Asa's reign finds its ultimate and eternal fulfillment in the profound peace that believers now have with God through Christ (Romans 5:1). He is our true rest, our Sabbath, who brings an end to the turmoil of sin and offers a lasting, spiritual tranquility that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Thus, Asa's reign points us to the greater King who not only purifies His kingdom but also establishes an everlasting peace within the hearts of all who believe.