2 Chronicles 16:12

And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease [was] exceeding [great]: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.

And Asa {H609} in the thirty {H7970} and ninth {H8672} year {H8141} of his reign {H4438} was diseased {H2456} in his feet {H7272}, until his disease {H2483} was exceeding {H4605} great: yet in his disease {H2483} he sought {H1875} not to the LORD {H3068}, but to the physicians {H7495}.

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa suffered from a disease in his legs. It was a very serious disease, yet even with this disease he did not seek out ADONAI but turned to the physicians.

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady became increasingly severe. Yet even in his illness he did not seek the LORD, but only the physicians.

And in the thirty and ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet; his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to Jehovah, but to the physicians.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 16:12 describes a poignant moment in the life of King Asa of Judah, highlighting a critical spiritual misstep towards the end of his reign. After a period of great faithfulness and reliance on God, this verse reveals a significant shift in his trust.

Context of King Asa's Reign

King Asa began his rule with admirable devotion, clearing idolatry from Judah and leading the people in a covenant to seek the LORD with all their heart (2 Chronicles 14-15). God blessed his efforts, granting him victory over a vast Ethiopian army because he cried out to the LORD. However, in the latter part of his reign, a pattern of spiritual decline emerged. When faced with a threat from King Baasha of Israel, Asa chose to rely on a political alliance with Syria rather than seeking God's help, as he had done previously (2 Chronicles 16:1-6). For this, the prophet Hanani rebuked him, reminding him that the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him (2 Chronicles 16:7-9). Asa's response was not repentance but anger and oppression, imprisoning Hanani and afflicting some of the people. Verse 12 is the culmination of this spiritual hardening, where even in severe physical suffering, his heart remained turned away from God.

Key Themes and Insights

  • The Danger of Spiritual Drift: Asa's story serves as a powerful warning that even those who start well in faith can drift away from wholehearted reliance on God. His initial zeal gave way to self-reliance and distrust.
  • Reliance on God vs. Human Means: The core message here is not that seeking medical help is wrong. Physicians are a gift from God, and wisdom dictates using the means available. However, Asa's error was that "he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians," indicating a sole, exclusive reliance on human wisdom and resources, to the exclusion of God's sovereign power and guidance. This highlights a misplaced trust.
  • Consequences of Unbelief: While the disease itself may not be a direct punishment, Asa's refusal to seek the Lord in his affliction reveals a spiritual malady deeper than his physical one. It demonstrates the hardening of his heart and the spiritual consequences of turning away from God.

Linguistic Nuance

The Hebrew verb for "sought" (דָּרַשׁ, darash) implies a diligent inquiry, consulting, or resorting to someone or something. When applied to God, it means to seek His face, His will, or His help. The phrasing "sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians" powerfully contrasts where Asa placed his ultimate hope and reliance. It emphasizes that he *resorted* solely to human means, failing to *resort* to the divine source of all healing and wisdom first, or at all.

Spiritual Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Seek God First in All Circumstances: Whether facing illness, financial hardship, or difficult decisions, our primary recourse should always be to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. This doesn't negate using human wisdom or professional help, but it places God as the ultimate source and authority.
  • Integrate Faith and Practicality: We are called to be wise stewards, utilizing the gifts and knowledge God has provided, including medical science. However, this should always be done within a framework of prayer, faith, and submission to God's will. Our trust should ultimately be in the Lord, who works through means, rather than in the means themselves.
  • Humility and Repentance: Asa's story reminds us that pride and an unwillingness to receive correction can lead to spiritual downfall. We must remain humble and open to God's Spirit, ready to repent and turn back to Him when we stray.
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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 17:5

    ΒΆ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

  • 2 Chronicles 28:22

    And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this [is that] king Ahaz.

  • 1 Chronicles 10:14

    And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

  • 2 Chronicles 16:9

    For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of [them] whose heart [is] perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

  • Mark 5:26

    And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

  • Matthew 9:12

    But when Jesus heard [that], he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

  • Mark 2:17

    When Jesus heard [it], he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
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