History · Chapter 16 of 36

2 Chronicles 16

In his later years Asa faces threat from Baasha and buys Syria's help with temple treasure instead of trusting the LORD. The seer Hanani rebukes him, recalling past deliverance and the eyes of the LORD that seek the loyal. Asa rages, imprisons Hanani, oppresses the people, and later, diseased in his feet, seeks physicians rather than God, and dies.

What happens in 2 Chronicles 16

When Baasha of Israel fortifies Ramah to blockade Judah, Asa takes silver and gold from the temple and palace and sends it to Benhadad of Syria, buying a broken treaty so Syria attacks Israel from the north. The plan works: Baasha withdraws, and Asa dismantles Ramah to build Geba and Mizpah. But Hanani the seer confronts him, saying that by relying on Syria rather than the LORD he forfeited a greater victory, for God's eyes range through the earth to strengthen the wholehearted.

Hanani warns of continual wars. Enraged, Asa jails the seer and oppresses some of the people. In his thirty-ninth year Asa suffers a severe disease in his feet, yet even then seeks only physicians, not the LORD. He dies in his forty-first year and is buried with great honor in the city of David.

2 Chronicles 16 in context

This chapter is the sad counterpart to Asa's earlier faith. Decades after trusting God against overwhelming odds, the aging king now trusts diplomacy and money. Chronicles arranges his story to show a decline from dependence to self-reliance.

Hanani, from a prophetic family, speaks the interpreting word. The Chronicler writes for returned exiles tempted to secure themselves through foreign alliances rather than covenant faith.

Main themes of 2 Chronicles 16

2 Chronicles 16 (KJV)

1In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. 2Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, 3There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me. 4And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. 5And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease. 6Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah. 7And 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. 8Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand. 9For 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. 10Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time. 11And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 12And 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. 13And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign. 14And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries’ art: and they made a very great burning for him.

Verses to carry from 2 Chronicles 16

“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.”2 Chronicles 16:7

“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.”2 Chronicles 16:9

“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.”2 Chronicles 16:12

Reflection

When threatened, what do you reach for first, your resources or your God? Asa's decline began with a shortcut that worked. Ask whether your recent successes have quietly taught you to rely on yourself. God's eyes are still ranging the earth, ready to strengthen a heart that turns fully back to him.

A prayer from 2 Chronicles 16