2 Chronicles 14:7

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore he said {H559} unto Judah {H3063}, Let us build {H1129} these cities {H5892}, and make about {H5437} them walls {H2346}, and towers {H4026}, gates {H1817}, and bars {H1280}, while the land {H776} is yet before {H6440} us; because we have sought {H1875} the LORD {H3068} our God {H430}, we have sought {H1875} him, and he hath given us rest {H5117} on every side {H5439}. So they built {H1129} and prospered {H6743}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Let's build these cities," he said to Y'hudah; "we'll surround them with walls, towers, gates and bars. The land is there for us to use, because we have sought ADONAI our God; we have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side." So they built and prospered.

Berean Standard Bible

So he said to the people of Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought Him and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered.

American Standard Version

For he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is yet before us, because we have sought Jehovah our God; we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 14:7 encapsulates a pivotal moment in the reign of King Asa, illustrating the profound connection between diligent devotion to God, divine favor, and strategic human endeavor. During a period of unprecedented peace, granted by the Lord in response to Judah's earnest seeking, Asa wisely seized the opportunity to fortify his nation's defenses. This verse highlights a divinely enabled prosperity, where God's gift of rest empowered Judah to build and flourish, underscoring the principle that faithful obedience lays the groundwork for both security and success.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated early in King Asa's reign, specifically after a decade of peace (2 Chronicles 14:1, 6). The preceding verses (2 Chronicles 14:2-5) detail Asa's initial righteous acts: the removal of foreign altars, high places, and idolatrous symbols, and his command for Judah to seek the Lord God and obey His law. This spiritual cleansing and national repentance directly precede the period of peace mentioned in verse 6, establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship between obedience to God and national tranquility. Verse 7 then describes Asa's proactive response to this divine blessing, using the peace to strengthen the kingdom's infrastructure before the major conflict with Zerah the Ethiopian in chapter 14:9ff. The Chronicler emphasizes that Judah's prosperity and security were not merely a result of human strategy but a direct consequence of their covenant faithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, periods of peace were often fleeting and highly valued. Fortification of cities with walls, towers, gates, and bars was a critical aspect of national defense and a sign of a strong, secure kingdom. Such construction projects required significant resources, labor, and a stable environment, which "rest on every side" provided. The phrase "the land is yet before us" implies an opportune moment—a window of vulnerability for potential adversaries and an opportunity for Judah to consolidate its strength without immediate external threats. This strategic foresight was crucial for survival in a volatile geopolitical landscape where kingdoms constantly vied for dominance and security. The concept of "rest" (Hebrew: נוּחַ, *nuakh* or שָׁקַט, *shaqat*) often carried theological weight, signifying a divinely granted cessation from trouble, allowing for flourishing and productive activity.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is the **divine blessing of peace as a reward for seeking God**. Asa's reign exemplifies the Chronicler's recurring theological premise that faithfulness to Yahweh leads to prosperity and security, while apostasy brings judgment and distress. This is a consistent message throughout the books of [Chronicles](/2_chronicles/1 "2 Chronicles - The Reign of Kings of Judah") and [Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - The Divided Kingdom"). Secondly, the verse highlights **prudent leadership and wise stewardship of divine favor**. Asa did not squander the peace in complacency but leveraged it for national strengthening, demonstrating a proactive faith that understands God's blessings are not for idleness but for purposeful action. This echoes the wisdom found in [Proverbs 6:6-8](/proverbs/6-6 "Proverbs 6:6-8 - The Diligent Ant"). Finally, there is the theme of **divine enablement of human effort**. The "rest on every side" granted by God was the prerequisite for Judah's successful building endeavors. Their prosperity was not solely due to their labor but was empowered and blessed by God, demonstrating the synergistic relationship between human responsibility and divine sovereignty, a principle seen throughout biblical history, from [Genesis 2:15](/genesis/2-15 "Genesis 2:15 - Adam's Commission in Eden") to the New Testament's call to work out one's salvation with God working within ([Philippians 2:12-13](/philippians/2-12 "Philippians 2:12-13 - Working Out Salvation")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sought (Hebrew, _darash'_):** The verb דָּרַשׁ (*darash*) means to seek, inquire, search for, or frequent a place. Its repetition ("we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him") emphasizes the earnestness, diligence, and consistency of Judah's pursuit of God. It implies a deliberate and active devotion, not a passive acknowledgment. This seeking involved both spiritual reformation (removing idols) and obedience to His commands.
* **rest (Hebrew, _nuakh'_):** The Hebrew word נוּחַ (*nuakh*) used here signifies more than just a cessation of hostilities. It denotes a state of quietness, security, tranquility, and comprehensive peace. It implies a divine blessing that removes external threats and internal turmoil, creating an environment conducive to flourishing and productive activity. This "rest" is a gift from God, enabling the people to focus their energies on constructive endeavors rather than constant defense.
* **prospered (Hebrew, _tsalach'_):** The verb צָלַח (*tsalach*) means to succeed, advance, be profitable, or be enabled to accomplish something. It indicates that their building efforts were not in vain but were fruitful and effective. This prosperity is directly linked to God's blessing and their prior seeking of Him, highlighting that their endeavors were divinely favored and resulted in tangible success.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about [them] walls, and towers, gates, and bars":** This clause reveals King Asa's strategic and proactive leadership. Recognizing the opportune moment, he calls his people to action. The specific mention of "walls, and towers, gates, and bars" details the comprehensive nature of the fortifications, designed to provide robust defense and security for the cities. This was a significant national undertaking, requiring collective effort and resources.
* **"[while] the land [is] yet before us":** This idiomatic phrase signifies that the opportunity is still open, the land is unthreatened, and they have the freedom and time to act without immediate hindrance. It underscores Asa's foresight and the importance of seizing the moment of peace for preparation, rather than waiting for adversity to strike.
* **"because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought [him], and he hath given us rest on every side":** This is the pivotal theological explanation for their current state and the justification for their building project. The double emphasis on "we have sought him" highlights the earnestness and consistency of their devotion. The "rest on every side" is explicitly attributed to God's direct intervention and blessing, a clear reward for their faithfulness. This establishes the divine enablement for their subsequent prosperity.
* **"So they built and prospered":** This concluding statement confirms the successful outcome of their efforts. Their building projects were completed, and they experienced flourishing and success. This prosperity is presented as the natural and divinely ordained consequence of their seeking God and acting wisely in the peace He provided. It validates Asa's leadership and God's faithfulness to His covenant people.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Cause and Effect** is central, clearly linking Judah's diligent "seeking the LORD" to God's gift of "rest on every side," which in turn enables their successful "building and prospering." This structure underscores the Chronicler's theological agenda, emphasizing the direct correlation between faithfulness and divine blessing. The **Repetition** of "we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him" serves to underscore the earnestness and consistency of Judah's devotion, lending weight to their claim for divine favor. The phrase "[while] the land [is] yet before us" functions as a **Metaphor** for an open window of opportunity, a period of unhindered action, highlighting Asa's **Prudence** and strategic foresight in utilizing a time of peace for preparation rather than complacency.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The narrative of 2 Chronicles 14:7 resonates deeply with the broader biblical understanding of God's covenant relationship with His people. It illustrates that genuine seeking of God, characterized by obedience and repentance, is met with divine favor, often manifesting as peace and security. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a comprehensive well-being that enables growth and flourishing. Furthermore, the verse teaches the principle of wise stewardship: God's blessings are not an invitation to idleness but an empowerment for proactive engagement and responsible development. Asa's leadership demonstrates that true faith is not passive but actively leverages divine opportunities for the good of the community, recognizing that human effort, when aligned with God's will and empowered by His grace, leads to tangible success.

* [Deuteronomy 28:1-6](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1-6 - Blessings for Obedience")
* [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord Builds")
* [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Second Chronicles 14:7 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, urging us to cultivate a life marked by earnest devotion to God and wise stewardship of the seasons He grants us. Just as Judah's peace was a direct result of their seeking the Lord, so too does our spiritual tranquility and stability flow from our consistent pursuit of God's presence and will. This verse challenges us to identify the "rest on every side" in our own lives—periods of relative calm, stability, or opportunity—and to leverage them proactively for growth, strengthening, and preparation, rather than succumbing to complacency. Whether in personal spiritual disciplines, family relationships, professional development, or community engagement, we are called to "build and prosper" in ways that honor God, recognizing that our efforts are blessed and made fruitful when rooted in Him. It reminds us that God's blessings are not ends in themselves, but empowering gifts for us to be diligent and fruitful stewards of His grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I currently experiencing "rest on every side," and how am I proactively utilizing these seasons for growth and strengthening?**
* **What does "seeking the LORD" practically look like in my daily life, and how consistent am I in this pursuit?**
* **How does my understanding of God's provision influence my willingness to "build and prosper" through diligent effort?**
* **Am I prone to complacency during times of peace, or do I view them as opportunities for strategic preparation?**

### FAQ
**What does "rest on every side" mean, and how is it related to seeking God?**

Answer: "Rest on every side" (Hebrew: נוּחַ, *nuakh*) signifies a comprehensive state of peace, security, and tranquility, free from external threats or internal turmoil. It implies a divinely granted cessation from trouble, allowing for flourishing and productive activity. In 2 Chronicles 14:7, this rest is explicitly presented as a direct consequence of Judah's earnest and consistent "seeking the LORD our God." This demonstrates a fundamental biblical principle: when God's people genuinely turn to Him, He often responds by removing obstacles and providing a secure environment, enabling them to thrive and build without hindrance. This concept of divine rest is a recurring theme, seen also in [Joshua 21:44](/joshua/21-44 "Joshua 21:44 - The Lord Gave Them Rest") and [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God is Our Refuge and Strength").

**Does this verse imply that all prosperity is a direct result of seeking God?**

Answer: While 2 Chronicles 14:7 strongly links Judah's seeking God to their "rest on every side" and subsequent prosperity, it's important to interpret this within its specific covenantal context. For ancient Israel, there was a clear covenantal promise of blessing for obedience and curses for disobedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). This verse exemplifies that principle. However, in a broader theological sense, not all prosperity in life is solely a direct result of individual righteousness, nor is all suffering a direct result of sin (see [Job](/job/1 "Job 1 - Satan Tests Job") or [John 9:1-3](/john/9-1 "John 9:1-3 - Healing the Man Born Blind")). God's common grace extends to all, and various factors contribute to prosperity. Nevertheless, for believers, a life committed to seeking God's kingdom and righteousness (as taught in [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God")) is indeed promised a holistic "rest" and provision, though not always in purely material terms. The verse primarily highlights that when God's people are faithful, He often enables their endeavors to succeed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "rest on every side" experienced by Judah under Asa, a temporary and conditional peace, finds its ultimate and eternal fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the true source of rest, inviting all who are weary and burdened to come to Him and find rest for their souls ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). The "seeking the LORD" that characterized Judah's faithfulness is now fulfilled in seeking Christ, who is the very embodiment of God (Colossians 1:15). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ has secured a peace that transcends all understanding ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")), reconciling us to God and breaking down the dividing wall of hostility ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")). The "building" undertaken by Asa's Judah foreshadows the spiritual building of the Church, which Christ Himself promised to build upon the confession of His identity ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter's Confession")). We, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")), a temple for the Holy Spirit, enabled by the indwelling Christ. The "prosperity" of Judah in building their physical defenses points to the spiritual prosperity and eternal security found in Christ, who grants us abundant life ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Good Shepherd")) and equips us to build His kingdom, a work that will never be overthrown.

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

1 Peter 3:12

For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.

2 Chronicles 14:6

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.

Jeremiah 29:12

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

Jeremiah 29:14

And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

1 Chronicles 28:9

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

John 12:35

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

John 12:36

While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.