2 Chronicles16

King Asa of Judah, facing an invasion from Baasha of Israel, sought aid from Benhadad of Syria by offering treasures, which successfully deterred Baasha. However, the prophet Hanani rebuked Asa for relying on a foreign king instead of the LORD, prophesying future wars. Asa responded by imprisoning Hanani and later, afflicted with a severe foot disease, he sought help only from physicians, not the LORD, before his death.

Asa Relies on Syria Against Israel

1
In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign, Ba'asha king of Isra'el attacked Y'hudah, and he fortified Ramah to prevent anyone's leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Y'hudah. ​
2
Then Asa removed silver and gold from the treasures of the house of ADONAI and the royal palace; and sent this message to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who lived in Dammesek: ​
3
"There is a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Here, I am sending you silver and gold; go, and break your covenant with Ba'asha king of Isra'el, so that he will leave me alone." ​
4
Ben-Hadad did as King Asa had asked - he sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Isra'el, attacking 'Iyon, Dan, Avel-Mayim and all the storage-cities of Naftali.
5
As soon as Ba'asha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah and abandoned his work.
6
Asa the king took all Y'hudah and carried off the stones and timber which Ba'asha had used to fortify Ramah. With them he fortified Geva and Mitzpah. ​

Hanani the Seer Condemns Asa

7
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. ​
8
The army of the Ethiopians and Luvim was huge, wasn't it? How many chariots and horsemen did they have? Yet because you relied on ADONAI, he handed them over to you. ​
9
For the eyes of ADONAI move here and there throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of those who are wholehearted toward him. You acted foolishly in this regard; for from now on, you will have war." ​
10
But Asa became angry at the seer; in fact, because of his rage at him over this matter he threw him in prison. Moreover, at the same time, he mistreated some of the people. ​

Asa's Final Years and Death

11
The activities of Asa from beginning to end are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Y'hudah and Isra'el.
12
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. ​
13
Asa slept with his ancestors, dying in the forty-first year of his reign.
14
They buried him in his own burial cave, which he had ordered cut for himself in the City of David. They laid him in a bed filled with sweet spices of various kinds, expertly compounded; and a very great fire was kindled in his honor. ​

Study Notes for 2 Chronicles 16

Verse 1

The reference to the 36th year is chronologically difficult, as Baasha died earlier (1 Kings 16:8). This date may refer to the years since the kingdom's division, or it highlights a significant decline in Asa's faith late in his reign. Ramah was a strategic fortress controlling access to Jerusalem.

Verse 2

Asa uses sacred temple funds to hire a pagan king (Ben-hadad) for military aid. This act demonstrates a profound lack of faith, contrasting sharply with his earlier reliance on God against the massive Ethiopian army (2 Chr 14).

Verse 3

Asa appeals to Ben-hadad based on human politics and existing treaties rather than seeking divine intervention. The league was a geopolitical alliance designed to shift the balance of power in the region.

Verse 6

Asa successfully utilizes the abandoned materials from Ramah to reinforce his own border towns, Geba (in Benjamin) and Mizpah, securing the northern frontier of Judah.

Verse 7

Hanani the seer confronts the king, identifying the root of Asa's failure: relying on human strength (Syria) rather than Yahweh. The historian uses this event to teach that political pragmatism without faith leads to divine judgment.

Verse 8

The prophet reminds Asa of the victory over the huge host of Cushites (Ethiopians) and Lubims (Libyans), emphasizing that reliance on the LORD had previously guaranteed success, making Asa's current failure of faith inexcusable.

Verse 9

This is a key theological statement by the Chronicler: God actively searches the earth to powerfully support those whose hearts are completely devoted ('perfect') to him. Asa's reliance on Syria showed a divided heart, resulting in future conflicts.

Verse 10

Asa’s imprisonment of the prophet Hanani reveals a hardening of his heart, demonstrating a tyrannical turn and a rejection of divine correction. This reaction marks the tragic decline of a king who began his reign with great piety.

Verse 12

Asa's failure to seek the LORD in his illness is the final indictment against his reign. While seeking physicians was not inherently wrong, the Chronicler emphasizes that Asa neglected to seek God as his primary source of healing and guidance, continuing his pattern of reliance on human means.

Verse 14

The 'very great burning' refers to the custom of burning large quantities of spices and aromatic wood (not the body itself) in honor of the deceased king, signifying deep respect and mourning.

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