2 Chronicles 28:6

ยถ For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, [which were] all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.

For Pekah {H6492} the son {H1121} of Remaliah {H7425} slew {H2026} in Judah {H3063} an hundred {H3967} and twenty {H6242} thousand {H505} in one {H259} day {H3117}, which were all valiant {H2428} men {H1121}; because they had forsaken {H5800} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of their fathers {H1}.

For Pekach the son of Remalyah killed in Y'hudah 120,000 men in one day, all of them brave men, because they had abandoned ADONAI, the God of their ancestors.

For in one day Pekah son of Remaliah killed 120,000 valiant men in Judah. This happened because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers.

For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah a hundred and twenty thousand in one day, all of them valiant men; because they had forsaken Jehovah, the God of their fathers.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 28:6 recounts a devastating defeat for the kingdom of Judah at the hands of Pekah, king of Israel. This verse highlights the severe consequences of Judah's spiritual apostasy during the reign of King Ahaz, underscoring a critical principle in the Old Testament narrative: faithfulness to God brings blessing, while disobedience invites judgment.

Context

This verse is set during the tumultuous reign of King Ahaz of Judah (735-715 BC), a period marked by significant spiritual decline and political instability. Ahaz was one of Judah's most wicked kings, actively promoting idolatry and even engaging in abhorrent practices like child sacrifice (2 Chronicles 28:3). The northern kingdom of Israel, under King Pekah, formed an alliance with Rezin, king of Syria, against Judah, aiming to force Ahaz to join their coalition against Assyria. This conflict, known as the Syro-Ephraimite War, brought immense suffering to Judah. The staggering loss of 120,000 "valiant men" in a single day was not merely a military misfortune but, as the verse explicitly states, a direct consequence of Judah having "forsaken the LORD God of their fathers."

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Disobedience: The primary message is that turning away from God has dire consequences. The massive loss of life is presented as divine judgment for Judah's idolatry and unfaithfulness. This aligns with the covenant warnings given in Deuteronomy 28, where defeat by enemies is listed as a result of forsaking God.
  • Divine Judgment: God allowed Judah's enemies, in this case, their northern brethren, to prevail as a form of discipline. This demonstrates God's active involvement in the affairs of nations, even using other peoples as instruments of His righteous judgment (Isaiah 10:5).
  • The Severity of Loss: The phrase "all valiant men" emphasizes that this was not a defeat of weak or untrained soldiers, but of skilled warriors. This highlights the overwhelming nature of God's judgment and that no human strength could withstand it when His favor was withdrawn.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "forsaken the LORD God of their fathers" is crucial. The Hebrew word for "forsaken" is `azab` (ืขึธื–ึทื‘), which means to abandon, desert, or leave. It implies a deliberate and conscious act of turning away from a relationship or duty. In this context, it signifies Judah's willful breach of their covenant relationship with God, choosing to worship other gods and adopt pagan practices instead of remaining loyal to the God who had delivered them from Egypt and established them in the land. The term "valiant men" (Hebrew: `gibborim`) refers to mighty warriors, reinforcing the profound and strategic impact of this defeat.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Chronicles 28:6 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of spiritual faithfulness. While we live under the new covenant in Christ, the principle that turning away from God can lead to negative consequences in our lives remains relevant. This verse encourages us to:

  • Prioritize God: Regularly assess our hearts to ensure that God remains our ultimate priority and that no idols (whether material possessions, careers, or even relationships) take His place.
  • Heed Warnings: Be attentive to God's warnings, whether through His Word, wise counsel, or the gentle conviction of the Holy Spirit, and repent when we stray.
  • Trust God's Sovereignty: Even in difficult times or when facing consequences, remember that God remains sovereign and desires our repentance and restoration (2 Chronicles 7:14).
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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 15:27 (4 votes)

    In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, [and reigned] twenty years.

  • Isaiah 9:21 (3 votes)

    Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: [and] they together [shall be] against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

  • 2 Kings 16:5 (2 votes)

    ยถ Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome [him].

  • Deuteronomy 28:25 (2 votes)

    The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

  • Jeremiah 2:19 (2 votes)

    Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that [it is] an evil [thing] and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear [is] not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

  • Isaiah 1:28 (2 votes)

    And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners [shall be] together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.

  • Joshua 23:16 (2 votes)

    When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.