2 Chronicles 15:10

KJV

So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.

KJV (with Strong's)

So they gathered themselves together {H6908} at Jerusalem {H3389} in the third {H7992} month {H2320}, in the fifteenth {H2568}{H6240} year {H8141} of the reign {H4438} of Asa {H609}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They assembled together at Yerushalayim in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa's reign.

Berean Standard Bible

So they gathered together in Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa’s reign.

American Standard Version

So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 15:10 records the precise historical moment when the people of Judah, along with faithful remnants from the northern tribes, assembled in Jerusalem. This gathering, occurring in the third month of King Asa's fifteenth regnal year, was a direct and unified response to the prophetic word delivered by Azariah and King Asa's initiated reforms. It set the stage for a national covenant renewal, symbolizing a profound commitment to Yahweh and a turning away from idolatry, marking a pivotal point in the spiritual revival of the kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial hinge in the narrative of King Asa's reign, specifically within 2 Chronicles 15. Immediately preceding it, Asa has achieved a decisive victory over the massive Ethiopian army (2 Chronicles 14:9-15), demonstrating God's power in response to his faith. Following this triumph, the prophet Azariah delivers a powerful message to Asa and all Judah, emphasizing the principle of divine reciprocity: "The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you" ([2 Chronicles 15:2](/2_chronicles/15-2 "2 Chronicles 15:2 - Azariah's Prophecy to Asa")). Stirred by this prophetic word, Asa embarks on a zealous reform, removing idols, repairing the altar, and gathering the people (2 Chronicles 15:8-9). Verse 10, therefore, describes the culmination of these initial efforts—the assembly of the nation—which directly precedes their solemn covenant with God in the following verses ([2 Chronicles 15:12-15](/2_chronicles/15-12 "2 Chronicles 15:12-15 - The Covenant of Judah")). It transitions from Asa's individual initiative to a collective national commitment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Kingdom of Judah during the divided monarchy, with Asa reigning in the south. The gathering in Jerusalem was significant, as Jerusalem was the religious and political capital, housing the Temple and the repaired altar. The mention of the "third month" (Sivan) is particularly notable, as this month often coincided with the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), a harvest festival that also commemorated the giving of the Law at Sinai, making it a fitting time for a covenant renewal. National assemblies were a common ancient Near Eastern practice for reaffirming loyalty to a king or deity, but in Israel, they often carried deep theological significance, recalling the covenant assemblies at Sinai and Shechem. The "fifteenth year of the reign of Asa" indicates a period of established rule and relative stability, allowing for such a comprehensive national undertaking. The inclusion of people from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon (from the northern kingdom, [2 Chronicles 15:9](/2_chronicles/15-9 "2 Chronicles 15:9 - People from Israel Join Judah")) highlights the ongoing spiritual pull of Jerusalem and the legitimate Davidic monarchy, even amidst political division, underscoring a yearning for unified worship.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Chronicles. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Reciprocity and Immediate Consequence**, where God blesses obedience and punishes disobedience, as explicitly stated in Azariah's prophecy ([2 Chronicles 15:2](/2_chronicles/15-2 "2 Chronicles 15:2 - Azariah's Prophecy")). The gathering itself underscores **National Unity and Corporate Commitment** to Yahweh, demonstrating that true spiritual revival is not merely an individual act but a collective turning of the heart of the nation. It also highlights the **Importance of the Temple and Jerusalem** as the divinely appointed center of worship and national identity, drawing people from across tribal lines. Furthermore, the precise dating emphasizes **Divine Timing and Providence**, suggesting that this momentous event occurred at a time ordained by God for maximum spiritual impact and stability under Asa's righteous leadership, leading to a period of peace for Judah ([2 Chronicles 15:19](/2_chronicles/15-19 "2 Chronicles 15:19 - Peace in Asa's Reign")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **gathered themselves together (Hebrew, _qābaṣ_):** This verb signifies a deliberate, purposeful, and often collective assembly. It implies more than a casual meeting; rather, it suggests a convocation or mobilization for a significant event. In this context, it underscores the unified and intentional response of the people to King Asa's reforms and the prophetic word, indicating a national consensus for spiritual renewal. It's an active, self-initiated gathering, reflecting their willingness.
* **Jerusalem (Hebrew, _Yerūšālayim_):** As the capital of Judah and the site of the Temple, Jerusalem held immense religious and political significance. Its designation as the gathering place emphasizes the centrality of the legitimate worship of Yahweh and the Davidic monarchy. The act of assembling there symbolized a return to the covenant roots and the divinely ordained place of worship, reinforcing the city's role as the spiritual heart of the nation.
* **fifteenth year (Hebrew, _šānâ_):** The specific mention of Asa's fifteenth regnal year is not merely a historical marker but highlights the established nature of his reign and the period of peace and stability that allowed for such a comprehensive national assembly. It suggests that the reforms were not a hasty reaction but a sustained effort, leading to a mature and unified response from the people after a period of righteous governance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem":** This clause describes the collective action of the people, including those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had defected to Judah. The verb "gathered themselves" implies a voluntary and purposeful assembly, driven by the recent spiritual awakening under Asa's leadership. The location, Jerusalem, underscores the religious and political centrality of the event, signifying a national commitment to the covenant with Yahweh at the heart of the kingdom.
* **"in the third month":** This temporal marker specifies the time of the year. The third month (Sivan) roughly corresponds to May-June and was the time of the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost). This timing is highly significant, as the Feast of Weeks commemorated the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, making it an exceptionally appropriate period for a national covenant renewal, imbuing the gathering with deep historical and theological resonance.
* **"in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa":** This precise chronological detail anchors the event firmly within the historical timeline of King Asa's rule. It indicates that this national assembly and covenant renewal occurred after a significant period of Asa's righteous reign, following his decisive victory and initial reforms. This stability and the king's continued faithfulness provided the context for the people's unified and sustained commitment to God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Precision of Detail** by providing specific temporal and geographical markers ("third month," "fifteenth year," "Jerusalem"). This specificity lends historical credibility and weight to the event, emphasizing its significance as a verifiable and momentous occasion. It also uses **Narrative Progression**, as this verse marks a crucial transition point in the story of Asa's reforms, moving from the king's individual initiative and the prophet's message to the collective, national response. The gathering itself functions as a form of **Symbolism**, representing the unity and renewed spiritual commitment of the people of Judah and the faithful from the northern tribes, converging on the sacred capital to reaffirm their covenant with God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The gathering in 2 Chronicles 15:10 is a powerful testament to the theological principle that national spiritual revival requires both faithful leadership and a responsive, unified populace. It illustrates God's desire for His people to gather in His presence, to remember His covenant, and to renew their commitment to Him. The specific timing and location underscore the sacredness of such assemblies, echoing the covenant-making events at Sinai and Shechem. This act of corporate worship and dedication demonstrates that God honors collective obedience and that a nation's well-being is intrinsically linked to its faithfulness to Him, leading to blessings of peace and security.

* [Deuteronomy 29:10-13](/deuteronomy/29-10 "Deuteronomy 29:10-13 - The Covenant at Moab")
* [Nehemiah 8:1-3](/nehemiah/8-1 "Nehemiah 8:1-3 - Ezra Reads the Law")
* [Psalm 133:1](/psalms/133-1 "Psalm 133:1 - The Blessing of Unity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The assembly in Jerusalem under King Asa serves as a profound model for spiritual renewal, both individually and corporately. It reminds us that true reformation is not merely an intellectual assent to truth but a tangible, communal act of commitment. Just as the people gathered in response to God's word and their king's righteous leadership, believers today are called to actively participate in the life of the church, uniting in worship, fellowship, and mission. This verse encourages us to consider the intentionality of our spiritual walk—are we actively "gathering ourselves together" with God's people, seeking His presence, and renewing our covenant with Him? It highlights the power of unity in pursuing God's purposes and the blessings that flow from a collective turning towards righteousness. Our spiritual health, like that of ancient Judah, thrives when we respond obediently to divine prompting and commit ourselves wholeheartedly to the Lord, both personally and as a community of faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the unity of the people in 2 Chronicles 15:10 challenge or inspire our understanding of corporate worship and community today?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals and as a church, intentionally set aside "times" for renewed dedication and covenant with God, mirroring the solemnity of this ancient assembly?**
* **What "idols" or distractions might need to be removed from our lives or communities to enable a more complete and unified "gathering" around God's presence, as Asa did?**

### FAQ
**Why is the specific date ("third month, fifteenth year") mentioned in this verse so important?**

Answer: The precise dating in [2 Chronicles 15:10](/2_chronicles/15-10 "2 Chronicles 15:10 - The Assembly in Jerusalem") is crucial for several reasons. Historically, it firmly anchors the event within King Asa's reign, marking a significant milestone after his victory over the Ethiopians and his initial reforms. The "fifteenth year" indicates a period of established rule and relative stability, suggesting that this national assembly was not a hasty reaction but a deliberate, well-planned event. The "third month" (Sivan) is particularly significant because it often coincided with the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), which commemorated the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. This timing imbued the national covenant renewal with deep theological resonance, connecting it to Israel's foundational covenant with God. It underscores the divine timing and providence at play, highlighting the importance of the event as a deliberate and sacred act of national commitment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The gathering of the people in Jerusalem in 2 Chronicles 15:10, driven by a desire for purification and covenant renewal, prefigures the ultimate gathering of God's people around Christ. While Asa led a temporary reform and gathered a physical nation to a physical temple, Jesus Christ, the true and perfect King, gathers His spiritual people, the Church, from every tribe and nation, not to a physical city but into His very presence. The purification from idolatry under Asa foreshadows the radical cleansing from sin achieved through the sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The covenant renewed in Jerusalem points to the superior New Covenant established in Christ's blood, which is eternal and written on the hearts of believers ([Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - The New Covenant")). The unity sought in Asa's day finds its ultimate realization in the body of Christ, where believers are made one in the Spirit ([Ephesians 4:3-6](/ephesians/4-3 "Ephesians 4:3-6 - Unity in the Spirit")), worshipping not in a specific earthly location, but in spirit and truth ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). Thus, this Old Testament assembly anticipates the glorious reality of the Church, gathered by Christ, purified by His grace, and united under His eternal reign.

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

Esther 8:9

Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that [is], the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth [day] thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which [are] from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.