2 Chronicles 15:2

And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; 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.

And he went out {H3318} to meet {H6440} Asa {H609}, and said {H559} unto him, Hear {H8085} ye me, Asa {H609}, and all Judah {H3063} and Benjamin {H1144}; The LORD {H3068} is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek {H1875} him, he will be found {H4672} of you; but if ye forsake {H5800} him, he will forsake {H5800} you.

he went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa, and all Y'hudah and Binyamin! ADONAI is with you, as long as you are with him; if you seek him, you will find him; but if you abandon him, he will abandon you!

So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.

and he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: Jehovah is with you, while ye are with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

2 Chronicles 15:2 presents a pivotal message delivered to King Asa of Judah by the prophet Azariah, immediately following a significant military victory. This verse encapsulates a fundamental principle of divine relationship: God's presence and favor are inextricably linked to human faithfulness and seeking Him.

Context

This prophetic word comes at a crucial juncture in the reign of King Asa. Having just achieved a miraculous victory over the vast Ethiopian army (recorded in 2 Chronicles 14:9-15), Asa and the people of Judah and Benjamin were riding a wave of divine blessing. The prophet Azariah meets Asa not to commend his victory alone, but to remind him of the spiritual conditions that led to it and that would sustain it. This message served as both an encouragement and a sober warning, urging continued reliance on the Lord amidst success and prosperity.

Key Themes

  • Conditional Divine Presence: The core message is clear: "The LORD is with you, while ye be with him." This emphasizes that God's active presence and blessing are not automatic but are contingent upon the people's allegiance and obedience to Him. This principle is echoed throughout biblical history, reminding us that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.
  • The Promise of Finding God: "and if ye seek him, he will be found of you." This offers a powerful assurance to those who genuinely pursue a relationship with God. It speaks to the accessibility of God for those who earnestly desire Him, a promise that resonates with Jeremiah 29:13's assurance that He will be found when sought with all the heart.
  • Consequences of Forsaking God: "but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you." This serves as a stark warning against spiritual apostasy or abandonment of God. It highlights the serious repercussions of turning away from divine covenant and dependence, indicating that God will withdraw His active support and presence from those who deliberately choose to separate themselves from Him. This forebodes a loss of divine protection and blessing.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "seek" here is darash (דרש), which implies more than a casual glance; it signifies a diligent, earnest inquiry, a pursuit, or even a worshipful seeking. It suggests an active and intentional effort to know and follow God. Conversely, "forsake" is azab (עזב), meaning to abandon, desert, or leave behind. It describes a deliberate act of turning away from a previously held commitment or relationship, emphasizing the intentionality of such a breach.

Practical Application

This verse remains profoundly relevant for individuals and nations today. It underscores the importance of maintaining a consistent and active relationship with God, not just in times of trouble but especially in times of success. It challenges believers to continually "seek the Lord" through prayer, study of His Word, and obedience. The warning to King Asa is a timeless reminder that spiritual complacency or intentional turning away from God can lead to the withdrawal of His favor and protection. Our faithfulness to God directly impacts His manifest presence in our lives, a lesson Asa himself would later struggle with, as documented in 2 Chronicles 16:12.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • James 4:8

    Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:20

    And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.

  • 2 Chronicles 15:4

    But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.

  • 1 Chronicles 28:9

    And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

  • Jeremiah 29:12

    Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

  • Jeremiah 29:14

    And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

  • Hebrews 10:38

    Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

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