2 Chronicles 16:11

KJV

And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they [are] written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And, behold, the acts {H1697} of Asa {H609}, first {H7223} and last {H314}, lo, they are written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063} and Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The activities of Asa from beginning to end are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Y'hudah and Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

Now the rest of the acts of Asa, from beginning to end, are indeed written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.

American Standard Version

And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 16:11 serves as a crucial concluding statement to the Chronicler's detailed account of King Asa's reign, emphasizing that the entirety of his actions, from the commencement to the conclusion of his rule, were meticulously preserved in authoritative historical documents. This verse functions as a direct citation, pointing the reader to the comprehensive royal annals from which the biblical narrative drew its information, thereby underscoring the historical grounding and complete scope of Asa's life as presented.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the formal conclusion of the Chronicler's narrative concerning King Asa, which spans [2 Chronicles 14-16](/2_chronicles/14 "2 Chronicles 14-16 - The Reign of King Asa"). It immediately follows the account of Asa's unfaithfulness in his later years, specifically his reliance on the king of Aram instead of the Lord against Baasha of Israel ([2 Chronicles 16:1-6](/2_chronicles/16-1 "2 Chronicles 16:1-6 - Asa's Alliance with Aram")), his subsequent imprisonment of the prophet Hanani for rebuking him ([2 Chronicles 16:7-10](/2_chronicles/16-7 "2 Chronicles 16:7-10 - Hanani's Rebuke and Asa's Reaction")), and his failure to seek the Lord in his severe foot disease ([2 Chronicles 16:12](/2_chronicles/16-12 "2 Chronicles 16:12 - Asa's Illness and Death")). Verse 11, therefore, acts as a summary colophon, directing readers to the broader, more extensive historical record that would encompass both the commendable piety of his early reign and the regrettable failings of his later years, setting the stage for his death and burial described in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, it was common practice for kingdoms to maintain official royal annals or chronicles, meticulously documenting the deeds, campaigns, and significant events of their monarchs. These records served as primary sources for later historians, including the biblical authors. The "book of the kings of Judah and Israel" mentioned here does not refer to the biblical books of 1 & 2 Kings or 1 & 2 Chronicles themselves, but rather to a now-lost, comprehensive national archive or state chronicle that provided the raw material for the biblical narrative. This practice highlights the Chronicler's engagement with existing historical records, grounding his theological message in verifiable historical accounts and demonstrating the meticulous record-keeping of the time.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several key themes within Chronicles. Firstly, it underscores the **historical veracity and reliability** of the Chronicler's account, affirming that his narrative is not a mere theological treatise but is rooted in documented historical sources. Secondly, the phrase "first and last" emphasizes the theme of **comprehensive assessment**, indicating that a king's entire reign, encompassing both his periods of faithfulness and his moments of deviation, is subject to divine and historical scrutiny. This reinforces the Chronicler's overarching concern with **covenant faithfulness** and its consequences, demonstrating how a king's life is viewed holistically in light of his obedience or disobedience to God. Finally, it subtly points to the theme of **divine oversight and accountability**, implying that while human records are kept, there is an ultimate divine record of all human actions, whether good or ill, as seen throughout the narratives of kings like David ([1 Chronicles 29:29](/1_chronicles/29-29 "Sources for David's Reign")) and Solomon ([2 Chronicles 9:29](/2_chronicles/9-29 "Sources for Solomon's Reign")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Acts (מַעֲשֵׂי, _ma‘asei_):** This Hebrew term refers to deeds, works, or accomplishments. In the context of a king, it encompasses the full range of his activities, decisions, and policies—both those that were commendable and those that were flawed. The use of this plural noun emphasizes the totality and diversity of Asa's actions throughout his reign, indicating that the record was not selective but comprehensive.
* **First and last (רִאשֹׁנִים וַאֲחֲרֹנִים, _rishonim va'acharonim_):** This is a merism, a literary device where two contrasting parts represent the whole. It signifies the entire span of Asa's reign, from its inception to its conclusion. This phrase highlights the Chronicler's intention to present a complete, unvarnished account of the king's life, including both his initial piety and his later decline, emphasizing that faithfulness is a lifelong journey.
* **Book (סֵפֶר, _sepher_):** This word denotes a scroll, document, or written record. Its presence underscores the formal, official, and enduring nature of the historical accounts. It points to a tangible, accessible source of information, lending credibility and authority to the Chronicler's narrative by indicating that his work was based on established, verifiable records.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And, behold, the acts of Asa":** This introductory phrase serves to draw the reader's attention to the subject at hand—the comprehensive record of King Asa's deeds. The particle "behold" (וְהִנֵּה, _v'hinneh_) functions as an emphatic interjection, signaling the importance and certainty of the ensuing statement regarding the documentation of Asa's life.
* **"first and last":** This crucial phrase specifies the scope of the documented "acts." It means from the very beginning of his reign to its very end, encompassing every significant event, decision, and period of his life, whether good or bad. It assures the reader that the historical record provides a complete picture, not just highlights or summaries.
* **"lo, they [are] written":** This clause emphatically confirms the existence and accessibility of these records. The repetition of an emphatic particle (וְהִנֵּה, _v'hinneh_, translated as "lo" in KJV, though the same Hebrew particle as "behold" earlier) reinforces the certainty that these events were indeed recorded. It signifies that the Chronicler is not inventing narrative but drawing from established, reliable sources.
* **"in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel":** This identifies the specific, authoritative historical source. As noted in the context, this refers to a now-lost royal chronicle, a primary historical document that served as a foundational resource for the biblical authors. It demonstrates the Chronicler's historiographical method of citing his sources, lending credibility to his narrative.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Source Citation**, a common literary technique in historical writing, where the author explicitly refers to external documents as the basis for their narrative. This practice lends **Verisimilitude** and **Credibility** to the account, assuring the reader that the information presented is grounded in verifiable records. The phrase "first and last" is a clear example of **Merism**, a rhetorical device where two contrasting parts are used to express a totality or completeness. In this case, "first" and "last" encompass the entirety of Asa's reign, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the historical record. The use of emphatic particles like "behold" and "lo" (both from the same Hebrew root) serves as a form of **Exclamation** or **Emphasis**, drawing the reader's attention to the significance of the statement about the records.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while seemingly a simple historical footnote, carries profound theological weight. It reminds us that human lives, particularly those in positions of leadership, are lived out before both human and divine scrutiny, and their full story, encompassing both triumphs and failures, is recorded. Just as the acts of King Asa were meticulously documented in earthly annals, there is an underlying theological truth that all human actions, choices, and the trajectory of one's life are known and ultimately accounted for before God. This concept underscores divine omniscience and the ultimate accountability of all humanity, not merely kings. It teaches us that our lives are not lived in a vacuum, but are part of a grand narrative, where every season and every decision contributes to the "book" of our existence, known fully to God.

* [Psalm 139:16](/psalms/139-16 "Psalm 139:16 - God's Knowledge of Our Days")
* [Revelation 20:12](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Books Opened at Judgment")
* [Malachi 3:16](/malachi/3-16 "Malachi 3:16 - The Book of Remembrance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The reference to the "book of the kings" for Asa's "first and last" acts serves as a powerful metaphor for our own lives. Just as Asa's entire journey, with its commendable beginnings and regrettable decline, was recorded, so too is the full scope of our lives lived before the omniscient gaze of God. This challenges us to consider not just moments of spiritual fervor or initial commitment, but the enduring trajectory of our faithfulness. It prompts us to reflect on the importance of perseverance in righteousness, learning from Asa's example that even a strong start does not guarantee a faithful finish if reliance on God wanes. Our lives are a continuous narrative, and every choice, every season, and every response to God's leading contributes to the complete story. This should inspire both a sobering sense of accountability and a comforting assurance that God knows us fully, in all our complexities, and desires our holistic and sustained devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of a "book" of our lives, encompassing "first and last" acts, influence our daily choices and long-term commitment to Christ?**
* **What specific lessons can we draw from Asa's complete story, particularly regarding the dangers of shifting reliance from God to human strength or political alliances?**
* **In what areas of our lives might we be tempted to neglect seeking the Lord, similar to Asa's failure to seek God in his illness, and how can we cultivate a habit of consistent reliance?**

### FAQ
**Is "the book of the kings of Judah and Israel" the same as the biblical books of Kings or Chronicles?**

Answer: No, "the book of the kings of Judah and Israel" is not the same as the canonical biblical books of 1 & 2 Kings or 1 & 2 Chronicles. It refers to a now-lost extra-biblical source, likely an official royal archive or national chronicle maintained by the scribes of the Judean and Israelite courts. This larger, more comprehensive historical record served as a primary source from which the biblical authors drew information for their inspired narratives. The Chronicler, like the authors of Kings, frequently cites such sources to underscore the historical grounding and veracity of their accounts (e.g., [1 Kings 11:41](/1_kings/11-41 "1 Kings 11:41 - The Book of the Acts of Solomon"); [2 Kings 1:18](/2_kings/1-18 "2 Kings 1:18 - The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel")).

**Why does the Chronicler emphasize "first and last" for Asa's acts?**

Answer: The emphasis on "first and last" is significant because it highlights the comprehensive nature of the historical record and, by extension, the Chronicler's theological assessment of Asa's entire reign. Asa began his rule with commendable devotion to God, initiating reforms and experiencing divine deliverance ([2 Chronicles 14:2-15](/2_chronicles/14-2 "2 Chronicles 14:2-15 - Asa's Early Reforms and Victory")). However, his later years were marked by a decline in faithfulness, characterized by reliance on human alliances, oppression of a prophet, and failure to seek God in illness ([2 Chronicles 16:1-12](/2_chronicles/16-1 "2 Chronicles 16:1-12 - Asa's Later Failures")). By stating that both his "first and last" acts were recorded, the Chronicler signals that a king's life is assessed holistically, encompassing both his commendable periods and his regrettable failings. This reinforces the Chronicler's overarching message that sustained, lifelong faithfulness to God is paramount, and even a good beginning does not guarantee a good end.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 16:11 speaks of a human king whose "first and last" acts were recorded, pointing to the comprehensive nature of human accountability, it ultimately foreshadows the ultimate and perfect record of a life found in Jesus Christ. Unlike Asa, whose record included both commendable deeds and grievous failures, Christ's life is the only human life perfectly lived and recorded, without blemish or deviation. His "first and last" acts—from His incarnation to His atoning death and resurrection—constitute a flawless obedience that fulfills all righteousness ([Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Fulfilling All Righteousness")). For believers, the "book" of our own "first and last" acts, which would inevitably reveal our sin and shortcomings, is superseded by the perfect record of Christ. Through faith in Him, our debt is canceled, and His perfect righteousness is imputed to us ([Colossians 2:14](/colossians/2-14 "Colossians 2:14 - Blotting Out the Record of Debt"); [Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness Through Faith in Christ")). Thus, the ultimate "book" that matters for our eternal destiny is not our own flawed history, but the perfect life and saving work of the Lamb of God, whose single offering has perfected those who are being sanctified ([Hebrews 10:14](/hebrews/10-14 "Hebrews 10:14 - Perfected by One Offering")). In Him, we pass from death to life, and our names are written in the ultimate "book of life" ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Passing from Death to Life"); [Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Only Those in the Book of Life Enter")).

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

2 Chronicles 27:7

Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they [are] written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

2 Chronicles 35:27

And his deeds, first and last, behold, they [are] written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

1 Kings 15:23

The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.

1 Kings 15:24

And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead.

2 Chronicles 26:22

Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.

2 Chronicles 20:34

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they [are] written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who [is] mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.

2 Chronicles 32:32

Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they [are] written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, [and] in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.