2 Chronicles 15:13

KJV

That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

KJV (with Strong's)

That whosoever would not seek {H1875} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478} should be put to death {H4191}, whether {H4480} small {H6996} or great {H1419}, whether man {H376} or woman {H802}.

Complete Jewish Bible

[they also agreed] that whoever refused to seek ADONAI the God of Isra'el should be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman.

Berean Standard Bible

And whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, would be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman.

American Standard Version

and that whosoever would not seek Jehovah, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 15:13 articulates a severe and non-negotiable stipulation of the covenant renewed under King Asa's reign, declaring that any individual, regardless of social standing, age, or gender, who refused to diligently seek the LORD God of Israel, was to be put to death. This decree underscores the absolute commitment demanded by God within the theocratic kingdom of Judah, emphasizing the gravity of covenant fidelity and the dire consequences of apostasy in a society where divine laws functioned as civil statutes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the narrative of King Asa's spiritual reforms, a pivotal period in Judah's history. Following a miraculous divine intervention that granted Asa victory over the vast Cushite army in [2 Chronicles 14](/2_chronicles/14 "2 Chronicles 14 - Asa's Early Reign and Victory"), the prophet Azariah, son of Oded, delivered a potent message of encouragement and warning to Asa and the people of Judah and Benjamin. This prophecy, found in [2 Chronicles 15:1-7](/2_chronicles/15-1-7 "2 Chronicles 15:1-7 - Azariah's Prophecy to Asa"), assured them that "the LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you." Inspired by this divine word, Asa launched a zealous campaign to eradicate idolatry, removing abominable idols, restoring the altar of the LORD, and gathering the people from all Judah, Benjamin, and even defectors from Ephraim and Manasseh. The culmination of this spiritual revival was a solemn covenant entered into by the people, pledging to "seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul" ([2 Chronicles 15:12](/2_chronicles/15-12 "2 Chronicles 15:12 - The Covenant Renewal")). Verse 13 then serves as the absolute enforcement clause of this renewed covenant, highlighting the extreme seriousness of their collective commitment. The chapter concludes with the positive outcomes of this national repentance, including a period of peace and prosperity for the kingdom.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Asa's reign (approximately 911-870 BC) over Judah was characterized by ongoing spiritual tension between fidelity to Yahweh and the pervasive influence of surrounding pagan cults. As a theocratic nation, Israel understood Yahweh as its ultimate King, and the Mosaic Law served as its foundational constitution and civil code. In this unique socio-political structure, breaking covenant with God, particularly through idolatry or apostasy, was not merely a religious transgression but an act of high treason against the divine sovereign. The death penalty for idolatry was a well-established principle within the Mosaic Law, clearly stipulated in passages such as [Deuteronomy 13:6-11](/deuteronomy/13-6-11 "Deuteronomy 13:6-11 - Penalties for Idolatry") and [Deuteronomy 17:2-7](/deuteronomy/17-2-7 "Deuteronomy 17:2-7 - Punishment for Worshipping Other Gods"). Therefore, Asa's decree, while severe, was not an innovation but a rigorous re-application and enforcement of existing covenant stipulations. It reflected a renewed, zealous commitment to national purity and the exclusive worship of Yahweh at a time when such devotion was frequently compromised by syncretism and spiritual apathy. This context underscores the unique nature of Israel's covenant relationship with God as a chosen nation.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme permeating [2 Chronicles 15](/2_chronicles/15 "2 Chronicles 15 - Asa's Reforms and Covenant") and profoundly highlighted in verse 13 is **Covenant Fidelity and its Enforcement**. The verse emphasizes the absolute and exclusive nature of the covenant between God and Israel, where wholehearted devotion and worship of Yahweh were non-negotiable. It powerfully illustrates the **Zeal for God's Purity** exemplified by King Asa, who understood that the nation's well-being and security were intrinsically linked to its spiritual obedience and adherence to God's commands. The severe penalty for "not seeking the LORD" underscores the **Gravity of Apostasy** and idolatry, which were considered acts of rebellion against the divine King and a direct assault on the covenant relationship. This reflects God's inherent holiness and His demand for exclusive worship, as He is explicitly described as a "jealous God" in [Exodus 34:14](/exodus/34-14 "Exodus 34:14 - God's Jealousy"). Finally, the inclusive phrase "whether small or great, whether man or woman" highlights the **Universality of the Mandate**, signifying that no one within the covenant community was exempt from its demands, regardless of social status, age, or gender, thereby reinforcing the principle that all are equally accountable before God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **seek (Hebrew, _dârash'_):** This primitive root signifies a diligent, earnest, and intentional pursuit, inquiry, or consultation. It implies an active turning towards God, not merely a passive acknowledgment or superficial interest. In this context, "not seeking the LORD" means a deliberate and settled refusal to pursue His will, worship Him exclusively, and remain faithful to His covenant. It denotes an act of apostasy or active rebellion, a conscious turning away from the divine relationship.
* **put to death (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** This is the fundamental Hebrew verb meaning "to die" or, in the causative form used here, "to be put to death" or "to kill." Its deployment in this verse indicates literal, physical execution. Within the theocratic framework of ancient Israel, breaking the covenant with God, particularly through idolatry, was considered a capital offense, akin to treason against the ultimate sovereign. The extreme severity of this penalty underscores the absolute seriousness of the command and the profound gravity of the transgression in the eyes of God and the covenant community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel":** This initial clause precisely defines the specific offense being addressed. It refers to any individual who deliberately chooses not to actively pursue, worship, or obey the God of Israel. This implies a conscious and sustained rejection of the covenant relationship, a turning away from the one true God towards other deities or a state of spiritual apathy and neglect. It is not about a momentary lapse but a settled disposition of unfaithfulness that undermines the very foundation of the nation's existence.
* **"should be put to death":** This phrase articulates the prescribed and ultimate consequence for the aforementioned offense. It signifies a literal, physical execution. In the unique context of ancient Israel, this was a civil penalty enforced by the community or its governing authorities. This reflects the theocratic nature of the nation, where divine law was simultaneously civil law, and the spiritual purity and covenant integrity of the community were paramount for its divine favor and continued existence.
* **"whether small or great, whether man or woman":** This concluding phrase powerfully emphasizes the universal and impartial application of the decree. It unequivocally states that the law applied to every single person within the kingdom, without any exception or partiality. Social status ("small or great"), age, or gender did not provide exemption from the fundamental requirement to be faithful to the LORD or from the severe consequences of apostasy. All were equally accountable under the terms of the covenant, reinforcing the principle of God's universal justice and the non-negotiable nature of His demands.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its absolute and uncompromising message. **Parallelism** is prominently featured in the phrases "whether small or great" and "whether man or woman." These parallel structures function as a form of **Merism**, encompassing all possible categories and thereby emphasizing the comprehensive and universal scope of the decree, highlighting that absolutely no one is exempt from the covenant's demands or its consequences. This **Antithetical Parallelism** ("small or great," "man or woman") further underscores the absolute nature of the law by presenting contrasting pairs that collectively represent the entirety of the population. The language itself functions as a **Legal Decree** or **Covenant Stipulation**, characteristic of ancient covenant documents, which clearly and concisely state the offense and its severe penalty. The starkness of the prescribed consequence, "should be put to death," serves as a form of **Strong Language** or **Emphatic Statement**, designed to underscore the absolute gravity of apostasy and unfaithfulness in the eyes of God and the covenant community, reinforcing the non-negotiable demand for exclusive worship and unwavering fidelity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 15:13 profoundly illustrates the seriousness and exclusivity of the covenant relationship with God in the Old Testament. It reveals God's absolute demand for exclusive worship and wholehearted devotion from His chosen people. In a theocratic kingdom, where God was the ultimate King and sovereign, apostasy was not merely a religious transgression but an act of high treason against the divine ruler, warranting the most severe penalty. This reflects God's inherent holiness, His unyielding jealousy for His glory, and His unwavering commitment to maintaining the spiritual purity and distinctiveness of the community through whom His redemptive plan for humanity would unfold. While the literal death penalty for apostasy is specific to the Old Covenant's civil law for the nation of Israel, the underlying theological principle of the profound gravity of spiritual unfaithfulness and the timeless call for complete and undivided devotion to God remains universally applicable to all who claim to follow Him.

* [Deuteronomy 13:6-11](/deuteronomy/13-6-11 "Deuteronomy 13:6-11 - Punishment for Idolatry")
* [Joshua 24:14-24](/joshua/24-14-24 "Joshua 24:14-24 - Covenant Renewal at Shechem")
* [1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Rebellion is like the sin of divination")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal death penalty for not seeking God, as a civil statute, is not applicable to believers under the New Covenant, the profound spiritual principles embedded in 2 Chronicles 15:13 resonate deeply with our call to discipleship today. This verse serves as a stark and powerful reminder of the absolute importance of our devotion and allegiance to God. Just as God demanded exclusive worship from ancient Israel, He still calls us to put Him first in our lives, to seek His kingdom and righteousness above all else. Our "seeking the LORD" is not a passive or occasional activity but an active, continuous, and wholehearted pursuit of His presence, His will, and His glory through consistent prayer, diligent study of His Word, unwavering obedience, and loving service to others. The severity of the Old Testament consequence for spiritual apathy or rebellion should impress upon us the immense gravity of spiritual indifference in our own lives. Turning away from God, even subtly through neglect or misplaced affections, can lead to spiritual barrenness, a loss of joy, and a diminished witness. We are called to regularly examine our hearts, identify and purge any "idols"—anything that consumes our time, affection, or energy more than God—and commit ourselves anew to a life of fervent, unwavering, and undivided devotion to the one true God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How seriously do I truly take my commitment to "seek the LORD" in my daily life, and what does that active seeking practically look like for me in my current season?**
* **Are there any "idols" in my life—anything that subtly competes for God's rightful place in my heart, time, or priorities—that need to be identified and decisively removed?**
* **In what specific and tangible ways can I cultivate a more "wholehearted" and zealous devotion to God, mirroring the spirit of King Asa's reforms and the covenant renewal?**

### FAQ
**Was this law truly implemented in ancient Israel, and was it considered just by divine standards?**

Answer: Yes, the Mosaic Law, which served as the foundational civil and religious code for Israel, explicitly prescribed the death penalty for idolatry and apostasy (e.g., [Deuteronomy 17:2-7](/deuteronomy/17-2-7 "Deuteronomy 17:2-7 - Punishment for Worshipping Other Gods")). In a unique theocratic kingdom where God was the direct sovereign, apostasy was viewed not merely as a religious transgression but as an act of high treason against the divine King. The implementation of such a severe law was intended to underscore the absolute gravity of breaking covenant with the living God and to preserve the spiritual purity and distinctiveness of the nation chosen to bear His name and facilitate His redemptive plan for humanity. From a divine perspective, it was just because it upheld God's absolute sovereignty, His holiness, and the sanctity of the covenant He initiated with His people. While challenging for modern sensibilities, it reflects a unique period in salvation history where God directly governed a nation to set it apart for His sacred purposes.

**Does this verse, particularly its literal death penalty, apply to Christians today?**

Answer: The literal death penalty for not seeking God, as a civil law for the nation of Israel, does not apply to believers under the New Covenant. The Old Covenant's civil and ceremonial laws, given specifically to ancient Israel, found their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. However, the profound underlying principle of wholehearted devotion to God and the seriousness of spiritual apostasy remains profoundly relevant and timeless. Under the New Covenant, the call to "seek the LORD" is transformed into a call to seek God through faith in Christ, to live by His Spirit, and to pursue righteousness and holiness. While physical death is not the direct civil consequence for unfaithfulness, turning away from God can lead to spiritual death, separation from His life-giving presence, and profound spiritual consequences, as solemnly warned in passages like [Hebrews 6:4-6](/hebrews/6-4-6 "Hebrews 6:4-6 - Warning Against Apostasy") and [Hebrews 10:26-31](/hebrews/10-26-31 "Hebrews 10:26-31 - Consequences of Willful Sin"). Christians are called to an even deeper, Spirit-empowered devotion, understanding that in Christ, we have been given the perfect means and enabling grace to truly seek God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Chronicles 15:13, with its severe decree against those who would not diligently seek the LORD, powerfully foreshadows the absolute demand for exclusive devotion that finds its ultimate and redemptive fulfillment in Jesus Christ. In the Old Covenant, the penalty for rejecting the LORD was physical death, a stark and terrifying reminder of the absolute gravity of sin and the unyielding holiness of God. This strict law underscored humanity's inherent inability to perfectly fulfill God's righteous demands and highlighted the need for a perfect mediator. However, in the New Covenant, Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the Law and became both the ultimate "Seeker" of the Father's will and the one through whom God is truly "Sought." He perfectly lived a life of seeking the Father's will and glory ([John 5:30](/john/5-30 "John 5:30 - Jesus Seeks the Father's Will")), and through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, He took upon Himself the "death" that sin demands, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Now, the call to "seek the LORD" is profoundly transformed: we are called to seek God through faith in Christ, who is Himself "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life")), and the only path to the Father. The "death" for not seeking God is no longer a physical execution by human hands, but eternal spiritual separation from God's life-giving presence, often referred to as the "second death" in the New Testament ([Revelation 20:14-15](/revelation/20-14-15 "Revelation 20:14-15 - The Second Death")). Yet, through Christ's perfect work, we are offered reconciliation, forgiveness, and the glorious ability to truly "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")), empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit who enables us to live a life of genuine devotion ([Romans 8:9-11](/romans/8-9-11 "Romans 8:9-11 - The Spirit of Christ in Believers")). Thus, the terrifying demand of 2 Chronicles 15:13 ultimately points to the profound grace, perfect provision, and transformative power found in our Lord Jesus Christ, who enables us to truly seek and find God with a whole heart.

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

Exodus 22:20

He that sacrificeth unto [any] god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

Deuteronomy 29:18

Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go [and] serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;

1 Kings 18:40

And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

Psalms 115:13

He will bless them that fear the LORD, [both] small and great.

Acts 26:22

Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

Deuteronomy 13:5

And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn [you] away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.

Deuteronomy 13:15

Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that [is] therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.