2 Chronicles 16:7

KJV

¶ And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.

KJV (with Strong's)

And at that time {H6256} Hanani {H2607} the seer {H7200} came {H935} to Asa {H609} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, and said {H559} unto him, Because thou hast relied {H8172} on the king {H4428} of Syria {H758}, and not relied {H8172} on the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, therefore is the host {H2428} of the king {H4428} of Syria {H758} escaped {H4422} out of thine hand {H3027}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It was around then that Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Y'hudah and said to him, "Because you relied on the king of Aram and didn't rely on ADONAI your God, the king of Aram's army has escaped from your power.

Berean Standard Bible

At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa of Judah and told him, “Because you have relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand.

American Standard Version

And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and hast not relied on Jehovah thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 16:7 records the dramatic confrontation between Hanani the seer and King Asa of Judah, delivering a divine rebuke for Asa's decision to form an alliance with the king of Syria rather than relying on the Lord God. This pivotal moment underscores the spiritual principle that trust in human strength or political maneuvering, even if seemingly effective in the short term, constitutes a profound failure of faith, leading to missed divine opportunities and future consequences.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical turning point in the narrative of King Asa's reign, marking a clear decline from his earlier faithfulness. Chapters 14 and 15 depict Asa as a zealous reformer and a king who genuinely sought the Lord, leading Judah in a spiritual revival and experiencing miraculous deliverance from a vast Ethiopian army through prayer and divine intervention ([2 Chronicles 14:9-15](/2_chronicles/14-9 "2 Chronicles 14:9-15 - Asa's Victory Over Zerah")). However, the immediate preceding verses ([2 Chronicles 16:1-6](/2_chronicles/16-1 "2 Chronicles 16:1-6 - Asa's Alliance with Syria")) describe Asa's response to an invasion by Baasha, king of Israel. Instead of turning to God as he had before, Asa emptied the treasuries of the Lord's house and his own house to bribe Ben-hadad, king of Syria, into breaking his treaty with Israel and attacking Baasha. While this strategy achieved the immediate objective of diverting Baasha, Hanani's prophetic message in [2 Chronicles 16:7](/2_chronicles/16-7 "2 Chronicles 16:7 - Hanani's Rebuke of Asa") reveals God's displeasure, indicating that the means employed were more significant than the earthly outcome. The verses following ([2 Chronicles 16:8-14](/2_chronicles/16-8 "2 Chronicles 16:8-14 - Asa's Reaction and Death")) detail Asa's angry reaction to the rebuke, his imprisonment of Hanani, and his subsequent reliance on physicians rather than the Lord during his illness, culminating in his death. This narrative arc powerfully illustrates the dangers of spiritual compromise and the consequences of rejecting divine counsel.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Asa reigned over Judah during the 9th century BCE, a period marked by ongoing conflict between the divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel. The northern kingdom of Israel, under kings like Baasha, frequently posed a threat to Judah's security. Alliances with powerful regional states, such as Syria (Aram), were common geopolitical strategies for smaller kingdoms seeking to gain an advantage or protect themselves. However, for the kings of Judah, such alliances often presented a theological dilemma: would they rely on the military and political strength of foreign nations, or would they trust in the covenant faithfulness and omnipotence of Yahweh, their God? The role of the "seer" or prophet (like Hanani) was crucial in ancient Israel. Prophets served as God's direct spokespersons, often challenging kings and leaders to uphold the covenant, reminding them of God's law, and delivering divine judgment or promises. Their authority derived solely from God, placing them in a unique position to speak truth to power, even at great personal risk. Asa's decision to rely on Syria, despite God's previous miraculous interventions on his behalf, reflects a common human tendency to prioritize tangible, immediate solutions over unseen divine power.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme illuminated by [2 Chronicles 16:7](/2_chronicles/16-7 "2 Chronicles 16:7 - Hanani's Rebuke of Asa") is the **paramount importance of sole reliance on God**. Asa's shift from trusting God for victory against the Ethiopians ([2 Chronicles 14:11](/2_chronicles/14-11 "2 Chronicles 14:11 - Asa's Prayer and God's Deliverance")) to relying on a pagan king against Baasha highlights the constant spiritual battle between faith and self-sufficiency. This verse also powerfully demonstrates the **consequences of spiritual compromise and disobedience**. Hanani's declaration that "the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand" implies a missed opportunity for a greater, more decisive, and God-given victory, signaling that even seemingly successful human strategies can lead to spiritual loss and future trouble. Furthermore, the passage underscores the **vital role of prophetic ministry** in calling God's people, including their leaders, back to faithfulness. Hanani's courageous confrontation exemplifies God's active involvement in the lives of His people and His unwavering desire for their wholehearted devotion, even when it means delivering uncomfortable truths.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Relied (Hebrew, _sha'an_ שָׁעַן):** This verb means "to lean on," "to rest upon," "to depend on," or "to trust for support." It vividly conveys the idea of placing one's full weight, confidence, and security upon something or someone. When Hanani states that Asa "hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God," he is not merely pointing out a tactical error but a fundamental shift in Asa's spiritual posture. Asa had chosen to lean his entire trust and dependence upon a human king and his military might, rather than on the Almighty God who had previously proven Himself faithful and powerful. This word encapsulates the essence of Asa's spiritual failure: a misplaced trust.
* **Seer (Hebrew, _ro'eh_ רֹאֶה):** This term refers to one who "sees" or "perceives" divinely, often through visions or direct revelation from God. A _ro'eh_ was a type of prophet, distinguished by their ability to receive and communicate divine insight. Hanani's title as "the seer" emphasizes that his message to Asa was not merely human opinion or political commentary, but a direct, divinely inspired word from God. It highlights the authoritative and unchallengeable nature of the rebuke, underscoring that Asa was rejecting God's counsel, not merely a human advisor's.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him":** This opening clause establishes the direct, divinely ordained confrontation. "At that time" links it directly to Asa's recent actions of forming an alliance with Syria. The arrival of Hanani, identified specifically as "the seer," immediately signals that the following words are not merely human counsel but a prophetic utterance, a message from God Himself to the king. This sets a serious tone for the rebuke that follows.
* **"Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God":** This is the core of the accusation and the theological heart of the verse. The repeated use of "relied" (שָׁעַן, _sha'an_) highlights Asa's misplaced trust. His sin was not merely in making a political alliance, but in *where he placed his ultimate dependence*. He chose to lean on human power (the king of Syria) rather than on the divine power and faithfulness of "the LORD thy God," the very God who had delivered him miraculously in the past. This reveals a fundamental failure of faith and a breach of covenant trust.
* **"therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand":** This clause declares the immediate consequence of Asa's misplaced reliance. The phrase "escaped out of thine hand" signifies a missed opportunity for a greater, God-given victory. While Asa's strategy did achieve its immediate tactical goal of driving Baasha away, Hanani reveals that God had intended a more complete and decisive triumph over the Syrian army itself, perhaps even preventing the need for such an alliance in the first place. This implies a loss of divine blessing and a foreshadowing of future troubles, demonstrating that even seemingly successful human efforts, when born of unbelief, can lead to greater spiritual and practical losses.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [2 Chronicles 16:7](/2_chronicles/16-7 "2 Chronicles 16:7 - Hanani's Rebuke of Asa") is **Prophetic Rebuke**, where a divinely appointed messenger confronts a leader with their sin and its consequences. This is characterized by direct address and a clear statement of transgression. Furthermore, the verse employs **Contrast**, setting Asa's reliance on "the king of Syria" against his failure to rely on "the LORD thy God." This stark juxtaposition highlights the spiritual dichotomy and the fundamental choice Asa made. There is also a clear **Cause-and-Effect** relationship ("Because... therefore..."), which explicitly links Asa's lack of faith directly to the negative outcome of a missed divine opportunity. Finally, a subtle **Irony** is present: Asa's human strategy appeared to "succeed" in deterring Baasha, yet from God's perspective, it resulted in a spiritual failure and a lost opportunity for a more glorious, God-ordained victory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound message of [2 Chronicles 16:7](/2_chronicles/16-7 "2 Chronicles 16:7 - Hanani's Rebuke of Asa") resonates deeply with the broader biblical emphasis on trusting God above all human efforts or resources. Asa's failure serves as a stark reminder that even those with a history of faith can waver, choosing tangible, earthly solutions over unseen divine power. This verse teaches that God values the *means* by which we achieve our objectives as much as the objectives themselves, and that true security and lasting victory are found only in Him. It challenges the common human inclination to lean on our own understanding, alliances, or wealth, rather than on the unfailing wisdom and strength of the Almighty.

* [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart")
* [Jeremiah 17:5-8](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5-8 - The Curse of Trusting in Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of King Asa in [2 Chronicles 16:7](/2_chronicles/16-7 "2 Chronicles 16:7 - Hanani's Rebuke of Asa") offers a timeless and piercing challenge to believers today. In a world that constantly pressures us to rely on visible resources—financial stability, political influence, personal connections, or our own intellect and strength—this verse calls us back to radical dependence on God. It reminds us that even when our human strategies seem to yield immediate, tangible results, God sees the heart of our reliance. Are we seeking His counsel first, or are we turning to Him only as a last resort, after exhausting all other options? Asa's story warns that a seemingly successful outcome, if achieved through a lack of faith, can still be a spiritual defeat, leading to missed opportunities for God's greater glory and deeper personal growth. True peace, enduring strength, and genuine victory come from a complete and unwavering trust in God's provision, power, and perfect timing, even when the path seems uncertain or counter-intuitive to human wisdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I most tempted to rely on human strength or resources rather than on God?**
* **Can I identify a time when a "successful" outcome in my life was achieved through means that did not fully honor God, and what were the spiritual repercussions?**
* **How does my daily walk demonstrate a practical reliance on the Lord, rather than just a theoretical belief?**
* **What specific steps can I take to cultivate a deeper, more consistent trust in God in the face of challenges?**

### FAQ
**Why was Asa's alliance with Syria considered a sin if it achieved its goal of stopping Baasha?**

Answer: Asa's alliance with Syria was considered a sin not because it failed strategically in the short term (it did indeed deter Baasha), but because it represented a fundamental failure of faith and a misplaced reliance. God had previously demonstrated His miraculous power on Asa's behalf against a much larger Ethiopian army when Asa fully trusted Him ([2 Chronicles 14:9-15](/2_chronicles/14-9 "2 Chronicles 14:9-15 - Asa's Prayer and God's Deliverance")). In this instance, instead of seeking God's intervention, Asa chose to empty the treasuries of the Lord's house to bribe a pagan king. The sin was in the *means* and the *heart attitude* behind the action: a lack of trust in God's ability and willingness to deliver, and a preference for human wisdom and power over divine omnipotence. Hanani's rebuke emphasizes that by relying on Syria, Asa missed out on a greater, God-given victory over the Syrian host itself, demonstrating that even apparent successes can come at a spiritual cost and lead to missed divine blessings.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Asa's misplaced reliance in [2 Chronicles 16:7](/2_chronicles/16-7 "2 Chronicles 16:7 - Hanani's Rebuke of Asa") powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect reliance found in Jesus Christ. Asa, a king of Judah, failed to fully trust the Lord, leading to a missed opportunity and a prophetic rebuke. In stark contrast, Jesus, the true King of Judah and the Son of God, perfectly embodied complete reliance on the Father throughout His earthly ministry. From His temptation in the wilderness where He resisted relying on His own power ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus")) to His constant declaration that He could do nothing of His own accord but only what He saw the Father doing ([John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - Jesus' Dependence on the Father")), Christ lived a life of absolute dependence. Where Asa relied on a foreign king, Jesus relied on the Spirit of God to cast out demons ([Matthew 12:28](/matthew/12-28 "Matthew 12:28 - Jesus Casts Out Demons by the Spirit")) and to perform miracles. His ultimate act of reliance was in submitting to the Father's will even unto death on the cross ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")), knowing that the Father would raise Him up. Thus, Asa's failure highlights humanity's propensity to trust in fleeting, earthly power, while Christ's perfect life and atoning work provide the ultimate example and means for us to truly "rely on the LORD our God" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith")), finding in Him the victory and security that no human alliance or strength could ever provide.

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 16:1

¶ Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,

2 Chronicles 19:2

And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore [is] wrath upon thee from before the LORD.

Psalms 146:3

Put not your trust in princes, [nor] in the son of man, in whom [there is] no help.

Psalms 146:6

Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein [is]: which keepeth truth for ever:

Isaiah 31:1

¶ Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because [they are] many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

Ephesians 1:12

That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Ephesians 1:13

In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,