2 Chronicles 14:9

¶ And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.

And there came out {H3318} against them Zerah {H2226} the Ethiopian {H3569} with an host {H2428} of a thousand {H505} thousand {H505}, and three {H7969} hundred {H3967} chariots {H4818}; and came {H935} unto Mareshah {H4762}.

Zerach the Ethiopian came out to attack them with an army of one million and three hundred chariots. When he arrived at Mareshah,

Then Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots, and they advanced as far as Mareshah.

And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an army of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and he came unto Mareshah.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 14:9 marks a dramatic turning point in the reign of King Asa of Judah, introducing an immense military threat that tested his faith and the nation's security. This verse sets the stage for one of the most significant battles in Asa's time.

Context

Prior to this verse, King Asa had diligently led Judah in a period of religious reform, removing idolatry and encouraging the people to seek the Lord (2 Chronicles 14:4). This faithfulness brought a decade of peace and prosperity, during which Asa strengthened Judah's defenses and army (2 Chronicles 14:7). However, this tranquility was shattered by the arrival of Zerah the Ethiopian, a powerful military leader from the south, challenging Judah's newfound stability.

Key Themes

  • Overwhelming Odds: The most striking aspect of this verse is the sheer scale of the invading army. Zerah brought "a host of a thousand thousand" (one million men) and "three hundred chariots." This was an unprecedented force in ancient warfare, presenting an almost insurmountable challenge for Judah.
  • Divine Faithfulness Tested: This verse introduces a critical test of Asa's reliance on God. Despite the prior period of peace and preparation, the magnitude of this threat demanded a deeper level of trust in divine intervention, which is powerfully demonstrated in the subsequent verses.
  • Geopolitical Threat: The invasion by Zerah the Ethiopian (likely from Cush, south of Egypt) highlights the constant geopolitical pressures faced by Judah. Such a massive expedition from a distant land underscores the widespread influence and military capabilities of regional powers in the ancient Near East.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "a thousand thousand" (Hebrew: eleph 'eleph) is an emphatic way to convey the number one million, stressing the immense size of Zerah's army. This hyperbole, or perhaps a literal count of a vast coalition, emphasizes the truly terrifying nature of the invasion. The term "Ethiopian" refers to a Cushite, indicating their origin from the region south of Egypt, known for its formidable warriors and military strength.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Chronicles 14:9 serves as a powerful reminder that even after periods of peace and spiritual strengthening, we may face overwhelming challenges that seem impossible to overcome. Just as King Asa confronted an enemy of unimaginable size, we too can encounter "million-man armies" in our lives—whether they are financial crises, health battles, relational conflicts, or spiritual attacks. This verse sets the stage for the crucial lesson that our ultimate hope and victory do not lie in our own strength or preparation, but in our willingness to cry out to God and trust in His power, as Asa famously did in the verses that follow.

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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 16:8 (5 votes)

    Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.

  • Joshua 15:44 (3 votes)

    And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages:

  • 2 Chronicles 11:8 (3 votes)

    And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,

  • 2 Chronicles 12:2 (3 votes)

    And it came to pass, [that] in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD,

  • 2 Chronicles 12:3 (3 votes)

    With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people [were] without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.

  • Micah 1:15 (2 votes)

    Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: he shall come unto Adullam the glory of Israel.

  • Isaiah 8:9 (2 votes)

    ¶ Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.