2 Chronicles 15:19

KJV

And there was no [more] war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.

KJV (with Strong's)

And there was no more war {H4421} unto the five {H2568} and thirtieth {H7970} year {H8141} of the reign {H4438} of Asa {H609}.

Complete Jewish Bible

There was no more war through the thirty-fifth year of Asa's reign.

Berean Standard Bible

And there was no war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign.

American Standard Version

And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 15:19 marks the culmination of a significant period of divine blessing and national tranquility for the kingdom of Judah under King Asa. This verse succinctly records the absence of external military conflict, a state of peace that endured for approximately two decades, directly correlating with the nation's profound spiritual revival and renewed covenant commitment to the Lord. It highlights God's faithfulness in granting stability and security as a tangible reward for obedience, while subtly foreshadowing the conditional nature of such blessings by specifying its temporal limit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a concluding statement to a remarkable period of spiritual reformation and divine favor under King Asa. It follows a series of pivotal events: Asa's initial reforms to purge idolatry and promote the worship of Yahweh (as detailed in [2 Chronicles 14:1-5](/2_chronicles/14-1 "2 Chronicles 14:1-5 - Asa's Early Reforms")), a miraculous victory over the vast Cushite (Ethiopian) army attributed solely to God's intervention (recorded in [2 Chronicles 14:9-15](/2_chronicles/14-9 "2 Chronicles 14:9-15 - Victory Over Zerah the Cushite")), and most significantly, the powerful prophetic message of Azariah son of Oded, which exhorted Judah to seek the Lord for continued blessing (see [2 Chronicles 15:1-7](/2_chronicles/15-1 "2 Chronicles 15:1-7 - Azariah's Prophecy to Asa")). This prophetic word spurred Asa and all Judah to enter into a solemn covenant to seek the Lord wholeheartedly, resulting in great joy and a period of profound peace (as described in [2 Chronicles 15:8-15](/2_chronicles/15-8 "2 Chronicles 15:8-15 - Judah's Covenant Renewal")). Verse 19 acts as a summary of the blessed outcome of this corporate obedience, setting the stage for the narrative shift in [2 Chronicles 16](/2_chronicles/16 "2 Chronicles 16 - Asa's Later Failures"), where Asa's faith falters, leading to renewed conflict.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Asa reigned over the Southern Kingdom of Judah during the divided monarchy period (c. 913-873 BC). His early reign was marked by a concerted effort to reverse the religious apostasy that had plagued Judah, particularly the widespread idolatry inherited from previous kings. The removal of foreign altars, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles was a radical act of spiritual purification in a culture often syncretistic. In the ancient Near East, national peace was a highly coveted state, often interpreted as a sign of divine favor and a prerequisite for prosperity and stability. Constant warfare, border skirmishes, and internal strife were common, making a period of "no war" a truly exceptional and divinely orchestrated blessing. The reference to the "five and thirtieth year" is crucial, as it provides a precise temporal marker for this peace, reminding the original audience (and us) that even divinely granted blessings are often contingent upon sustained faithfulness.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully reinforces several core themes prevalent in Chronicles. First, the **Divine Blessing for Obedience** is paramount; God's favor, manifested as national peace and stability, is directly linked to the people's and their king's commitment to seeking Him. This aligns with the Deuteronomic theology of blessings and curses, where obedience leads to prosperity and disobedience to hardship (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience")). Second, **Peace as a Consequence of Seeking God** highlights that true *shalom*—a comprehensive well-being encompassing security, prosperity, and spiritual wholeness—is a divine gift bestowed upon a righteous nation. The absence of war is not merely a political outcome but a spiritual one. Third, the verse subtly introduces the **Conditional Nature of Blessings** and the importance of sustained faithfulness. The phrase "unto the five and thirtieth year" foreshadows a later period in Asa's reign where his faith wavers, leading to renewed conflict and trouble, as seen in [2 Chronicles 16:7-10](/2_chronicles/16-7 "2 Chronicles 16:7-10 - Asa's Reliance on Aram and Hanani's Rebuke"), when he relies on human alliances rather than God. This underscores the Chronicler's consistent message that God's faithfulness is unwavering, but human faithfulness must be continually renewed.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **War (Hebrew, _milchamah'_):** The Hebrew word מִלְחָמָה (_milchamah_) refers to armed conflict, battle, or warfare. Its absence signifies a cessation of external military threats and internal strife, indicating a period of national security and tranquility. The KJV's bracketed "[more]" is an interpretive addition by the translators for clarity, as the Hebrew text simply states "there was no war." This emphasizes a complete absence of conflict, not just a reduction.
* **Unto (Hebrew, _'ad'_):** The preposition עַד (_'ad_) denotes a boundary or limit in time or space. In this context, "unto the five and thirtieth year" precisely defines the duration of this peace. This seemingly innocuous word carries significant theological weight, as it subtly foreshadows the end of this blessed period and hints at a subsequent shift in Asa's reign where the conditions for peace are no longer met.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there was no [more] war":** This clause emphatically declares a state of profound peace. The absence of "war" (_milchamah_) signifies not merely a lull in hostilities but a divinely granted cessation of conflict, a direct consequence of Judah's renewed covenant with God. It implies national security and stability, allowing the kingdom to flourish without the constant threat of invasion or internal rebellion.
* **"unto the five and thirtieth year":** This temporal marker is critical. It specifies the duration of this peace, indicating that it was not perpetual but had a defined end. This phrase serves as a subtle, yet powerful, hint of future challenges and a foreshadowing of Asa's later spiritual decline, which would eventually lead to the return of conflict and trouble, as detailed in the subsequent chapter. It underscores the conditional nature of the blessing.
* **"of the reign of Asa":** This identifies the specific monarch under whom this period of peace occurred. It links the national blessing directly to the leadership and spiritual policies of King Asa, particularly his early commitment to God and his efforts to lead Judah in righteousness. The Chronicler frequently emphasizes the king's role in the nation's spiritual and political fortunes.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent in the phrase "unto the five and thirtieth year," subtly hinting that this period of peace is not permanent and will eventually end, preparing the reader for Asa's later failures in [2 Chronicles 16](/2_chronicles/16 "2 Chronicles 16 - Asa's Later Failures"). There is also an implicit **Juxtaposition** between the blessed peace described here and the subsequent conflicts that arise when Asa deviates from his earlier faithfulness. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Theological Statement**, summarizing the Chronicler's overarching message that divine blessing, particularly national security and prosperity, is a direct result of obedience and seeking the Lord. It serves as a concluding flourish to the narrative of Asa's early, faithful reign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 15:19 stands as a powerful testament to God's covenant faithfulness and the tangible blessings that flow from national and individual obedience. It illustrates the profound biblical principle that when a people, led by a righteous king, wholeheartedly seek the Lord and purge themselves of idolatry, God responds with comprehensive peace and protection. This peace, or *shalom*, is not merely the absence of conflict but a holistic state of well-being, prosperity, and divine favor. However, the verse's specific temporal limitation ("unto the five and thirtieth year") also highlights the conditional nature of these blessings within the Old Covenant framework. It reminds us that while God is always faithful, human faithfulness can waver, and sustained blessings often require sustained commitment. This serves as a cautionary note, emphasizing the need for ongoing vigilance and dependence on God to maintain a state of peace and blessing.

* [Deuteronomy 28:1-2](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1-2 - Blessings for Obedience")
* [Psalm 122:6-7](/psalm/122-6 "Psalm 122:6-7 - Prayer for Jerusalem's Peace")
* [Proverbs 16:7](/proverbs/16-7 "Proverbs 16:7 - Peace with Enemies Through God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound peace experienced by Judah under King Asa, as described in 2 Chronicles 15:19, offers a compelling model for individuals and communities today. This peace was not a stroke of luck but a direct consequence of a deliberate, collective turning to God and a radical removal of spiritual idols. For us, this means that true and lasting peace—whether internal tranquility amidst life's storms or harmony in our relationships and communities—often begins with prioritizing our relationship with God. When we diligently seek Him, obey His commands, and purge the "idols" from our lives (anything that takes God's rightful place), we open ourselves to His divine *shalom*. However, Asa's later trajectory serves as a crucial reminder: the maintenance of peace and blessing requires sustained faithfulness, not complacency. We must continually rely on God, lest we, like Asa, turn to human strategies and lose the peace that only God can provide. The challenge is not just to initiate a season of seeking God, but to persevere in it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "wars" or conflicts (internal or external) in my life might be resolved or alleviated by a renewed, wholehearted commitment to seeking God?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be relying on human strategies or "idols" instead of fully trusting God for peace and security?**
* **How can I cultivate a sustained posture of seeking God, learning from Asa's initial success and later failures, to ensure lasting peace and blessing?**

### FAQ
**Why is "more" in brackets in the KJV text of 2 Chronicles 15:19?**

Answer: The brackets around "[more]" indicate that this word is an interpretive addition by the King James Version translators. It is not present in the original Hebrew text (`וּמִלְחָמָה לֹא הָיְתָה`, literally "and war not was"). The translators added "more" for clarity, to emphasize that the period of war had ceased, implying a previous state of conflict. This practice was common in the KJV to aid readability and understanding for the English audience.

**What happened after the five and thirtieth year of Asa's reign?**

Answer: Following this period of peace, King Asa's faith began to falter. In his thirty-sixth year, King Baasha of Israel came against Judah, and instead of relying on the Lord as he had previously, Asa made an alliance with Ben-Hadad, king of Aram (Syria), using treasures from the temple and his own palace to bribe him. This act of relying on human strength rather than God's power brought a rebuke from the prophet Hanani, who reminded Asa of God's faithfulness in the past. Asa reacted poorly to this rebuke, imprisoning Hanani and oppressing some of the people. This marked a turning point in his reign, leading to a period of continued conflict and trouble, as detailed in [2 Chronicles 16:1-10](/2_chronicles/16-1 "2 Chronicles 16:1-10 - Asa's Alliance with Aram and Hanani's Rebuke").

**Does God always grant peace for obedience, as seen in Asa's reign?**

Answer: While 2 Chronicles 15:19 clearly demonstrates a direct correlation between Judah's obedience and a period of national peace, the concept of "peace" in the Bible is multifaceted. In the Old Testament, particularly in historical narratives like Chronicles, national prosperity and the absence of external conflict are often presented as tangible blessings for corporate obedience to the covenant. However, this does not mean that individual believers will always be free from tribulation or external struggles in their personal lives. Jesus Himself said, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World")). True, enduring peace for the believer is ultimately an internal, spiritual peace with God, found through faith in Christ, which can exist even amidst outward difficulties ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Faith")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The temporary and conditional peace experienced by Judah under King Asa, a peace contingent upon their obedience and Asa's faithfulness, beautifully foreshadows the eternal and unconditional peace offered through Jesus Christ. While Asa's reign provided a glimpse of divine blessing for a people who sought God, it ultimately revealed the limitations of human faithfulness and the temporary nature of earthly peace. The "no more war" of 2 Chronicles 15:19 eventually gave way to renewed conflict when Asa's heart turned from complete reliance on God. In stark contrast, Jesus is the ultimate "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace")), who not only brings peace *to* us but *is* our peace. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, He has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, reconciling humanity to God and to one another ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). The peace He offers is not merely the absence of external conflict, but a profound spiritual *shalom*—a wholeness, reconciliation, and tranquility of soul that transcends all understanding ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")). Unlike Asa's peace, which was limited by human frailty, Christ's peace is an everlasting covenant, secured by His perfect obedience and eternal reign, ensuring that those who are in Him have true and lasting peace with God, regardless of the tribulations of this world ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Christ's Peace I Give You")).

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 Kings 15:31

Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

2 Chronicles 16:1

¶ In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

1 Kings 15:16

And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

1 Kings 15:17

And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

1 Kings 15:33

In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years.