2 Chronicles 16:11

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

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}.

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

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.

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

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 16:11 (KJV)

2 Chronicles 16:11 serves as a concluding statement to the account of King Asa's reign, emphasizing that the full details of his life and actions, from beginning to end, were meticulously recorded in official historical documents. This verse points readers to the broader historical context that the chronicler drew upon.

Context

This verse appears at the end of the narrative detailing King Asa's long reign over Judah (913–873 BC). Asa began his rule with commendable devotion to God, initiating religious reforms and experiencing divine deliverance in battle, as seen in his early reliance on God against the Ethiopians. However, the latter part of his reign was marked by a decline in faithfulness. He chose to rely on a political alliance with the king of Syria rather than seeking God's help against King Baasha of Israel (2 Chronicles 16:7), and subsequently imprisoned the prophet Hanani for rebuking him (2 Chronicles 16:10). His final years also saw him failing to seek the Lord concerning a severe foot disease (2 Chronicles 16:12). This verse, therefore, acts as a summary note, directing readers to a more extensive historical record that would encompass both his initial piety and his later failings.

Key Themes

  • Historical Veracity and Record-Keeping: The phrase "written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel" underscores the ancient Near Eastern practice of meticulous record-keeping for royal deeds and national events. It signifies the historical reliability of the accounts presented in the biblical narrative, confirming that they were drawn from authoritative national chronicles.
  • Comprehensive Account: The phrase "first and last" emphasizes that the entire span of Asa's reign, from its inception to its conclusion, including both his righteous acts and his later errors, was documented. This highlights the Bible's commitment to presenting a full, unvarnished picture of its subjects.
  • Divine Oversight and Accountability: While referring to human records, there is an underlying theological truth that all human actions are observed and ultimately accounted for before God. The chronicler's reference to these books implies that God's perspective encompasses the totality of a person's life.

Linguistic Insights

The "book of the kings of Judah and Israel" (Hebrew: sepher malkhei yehudah veyisrael) is a common reference found throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles. It does not refer to the biblical books of 1 & 2 Kings or 1 & 2 Chronicles themselves, but rather to a larger, now-lost, royal archive or national chronicle that served as a primary source for the biblical authors. This indicates that the biblical narratives are not isolated theological tracts but are grounded in accessible historical records, lending them significant credibility.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Chronicles 16:11 offers several insights:

  • The Full Scope of Life: Just as Asa's "first and last" acts were recorded, our lives are lived before God, and every season, every choice, and every deed contributes to the full story of our journey. This encourages a holistic view of faithfulness, not just focusing on initial zeal but on perseverance to the end.
  • Learning from History: The Bible's consistent reference to historical records invites us to study the past—both triumphs and failures—to gain wisdom and avoid repeating mistakes. Asa's story, in particular, reminds us that even those who start well can falter if they cease to rely on God.
  • God's Awareness: While we don't have a literal "book" for each person, this verse subtly reinforces the concept that God is fully aware of every aspect of our lives. This can be a source of comfort (He knows our struggles) and a call to accountability (He knows our choices).
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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