TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
World English Bible Messianic
For he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities, and make walls around them, with towers, gates, and bars. The land is yet before us, 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.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Therefore he saide to Iudah, Let vs builde these cities and make walles about, and towers, gates, and barres, whiles the lande is before vs: because we haue sought the Lord our God, we haue sought him, and he hath giuen vs rest on euery side: so they built and prospered.
Young's Literal Translation
And he saith to Judah, `Let us build these cities, and compass them with wall, and towers, two-leaved doors, and bars, while the land is before us, because we have sought Jehovah our God, we have sought, and He giveth rest to us round about;' and they build and prosper.
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
Second Chronicles 14:7 captures a profound moment in King Asa's reign, illustrating the direct correlation between Judah's earnest devotion to God, the resulting divine favor of peace, and the nation's strategic human endeavor. During a period of unprecedented tranquility, divinely granted in response to their diligent seeking of the Lord, Asa wisely seized the opportunity to fortify the kingdom's infrastructure. This verse underscores a divinely enabled prosperity, where God's gift of comprehensive rest empowered Judah to build and flourish, thereby establishing a foundational principle: faithful obedience and proactive stewardship of divine blessings lay the groundwork for both national security and holistic success.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological and practical message. Cause and Effect is the central structural device, clearly linking Judah's diligent "seeking the LORD" to God's gift of "rest on every side," which in turn directly enables their successful "building and prospering." This narrative structure powerfully underscores the Chronicler's theological agenda, emphasizing the direct and consistent correlation between covenant faithfulness and divine blessing. The Repetition of "we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him" serves to underscore the profound earnestness, consistency, and depth of Judah's devotion, lending significant weight to their claim for divine favor and highlighting the intentionality of their spiritual pursuit. The phrase "[while] the land [is] yet before us" functions as a potent Metaphor for an open window of opportunity or a period of unhindered action, highlighting Asa's remarkable Prudence and strategic foresight in utilizing a time of peace for proactive preparation rather than succumbing to dangerous 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 vividly illustrates that genuine seeking of God, characterized by sincere obedience and heartfelt repentance, is consistently met with divine favor, often manifesting as comprehensive peace and security. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a holistic well-being (shalom) that actively enables growth and flourishing. Furthermore, the verse powerfully teaches the enduring principle of wise stewardship: God's blessings are never an invitation to idleness but rather an empowerment for proactive engagement and responsible development. Asa's leadership exemplifies that true faith is not passive but actively leverages divine opportunities for the collective good of the community, recognizing that human effort, when aligned with God's will and empowered by His grace, leads to tangible and lasting success.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Second Chronicles 14:7 offers profound and enduring 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 period of peace and subsequent prosperity was a direct result of their diligent seeking of the Lord, so too does our spiritual tranquility, stability, and effectiveness flow from our consistent, intentional pursuit of God's presence and will. This verse challenges us to discern and identify the "rest on every side" in our own lives—those periods of relative calm, stability, or unique opportunity—and to leverage them proactively for spiritual growth, personal strengthening, and strategic preparation, rather than succumbing to spiritual or practical complacency. Whether in cultivating personal spiritual disciplines, nurturing family relationships, pursuing professional development, or engaging in community service, we are called to "build and prosper" in ways that honor God, recognizing that our efforts are blessed and made fruitful when they are rooted in Him. It serves as a potent reminder that God's blessings are not ends in themselves, but empowering gifts intended for us to be diligent and fruitful stewards of His abundant grace.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "rest on every side" mean, and how is it related to seeking God?
Answer: "Rest on every side" (Hebrew: נוּחַ, nuakh, H5117) signifies a comprehensive state of peace, security, and tranquility, extending to all aspects of life and being free from external threats or internal turmoil. It implies a divinely granted cessation from trouble, creating an environment conducive to flourishing and productive activity. In 2 Chronicles 14:7, this rest is explicitly presented as a direct, divinely orchestrated 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 in obedience and devotion, He often responds by removing obstacles and providing a secure, peaceful environment, enabling them to thrive and build without hindrance. This concept of divine rest is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, seen also in Joshua 21:44 and Psalm 46:1.
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 is crucial to interpret this within its specific covenantal context for ancient Israel. For the nation of Israel, there was a clear and direct covenantal promise of blessing for obedience and curses for disobedience, as detailed in passages like Deuteronomy 28. This verse beautifully exemplifies that specific covenantal 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 personal sin (as seen in the experiences of Job or the blind man in John 9:1-3). God's common grace extends to all humanity, and various complex factors contribute to prosperity. Nevertheless, for believers, a life committed to diligently seeking God's kingdom and righteousness (as profoundly taught by Jesus in Matthew 6:33) is indeed promised a holistic "rest" and divine provision, though not always exclusively in purely material terms. The verse primarily highlights that when God's covenant people are faithful, He often supernaturally enables their endeavors to succeed and flourish.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "rest on every side" experienced by Judah under King Asa, though a tangible and significant blessing, was ultimately temporary and conditional, foreshadowing a far greater, eternal reality. This temporal peace finds its ultimate and comprehensive fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the true and eternal source of rest. He extends a gracious invitation to all who are weary and burdened, promising that in Him they will find profound rest for their souls (Matthew 11:28-30). The diligent "seeking the LORD" that characterized Judah's faithfulness under Asa is now fully realized in seeking Christ, who is the very embodiment and visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). Through His perfect atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ has secured a peace that transcends all human understanding (Philippians 4:7), definitively reconciling us to God and breaking down the dividing wall of hostility that once separated humanity (Ephesians 2:14). The "building" undertaken by Asa's Judah, focused on physical defenses, typologically foreshadows the spiritual building of the Church, which Christ Himself promised to build upon the foundational confession of His divine identity (Matthew 16:18). We, as believers, are now living stones, actively being built into a spiritual house and a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5), a vibrant temple for the indwelling Holy Spirit, enabled and empowered by the presence of Christ within us. The "prosperity" of Judah in strengthening their physical defenses points to the far greater spiritual prosperity and eternal security found exclusively in Christ, who grants us abundant life (John 10:10) and equips us to participate in building His eternal kingdom, a work that will never be overthrown or diminished.