2 Chronicles

1 Kings

13:23 [14:1] Asa succeeds Abijah; the land had rest in his days for ten years

15:8 Abijam succeeded by his son Asa

15:9-10 Asa began in the 20^th year of Jeroboam; reigned 41 years in Jerusalem. Mother’s name was Maacah, daughter of Absalom (Maacah is also identified as the mother of his father Abijam in v. 2. Were Abijam and Asa brothers? 2 Chr 13:2 identifies Micaiah daughter of Uriel as Abijah’s mother).

14:1-2 [2-3] Asa did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh his God; got rid of foreign altars and high places. Cf. 15:17 high places were not taken out of Israel [= Northern Kingdom].

15:11-12 Similar. In eyes of Yahweh like David his father. Also removed "male temple prostitutes" and idols.

14:3-7 [4-8] Asa commanded Judah to seek Yahweh. Removed high places and incense altars. Built fortified cities in Judah and the land had rest. No war in those years. Asa: "The land is ours because we sought Yahweh." 300,000 in the army from Judah and 280,000 from Benjamin.

14:8-14 [9-15] Zerah the Cushite attacked Israel with 1 million men and 300 chariots at Mareshah (a city fortified by Rehoboam 2 Chr 11:8). In answer to Asa’s prayer (Help us, Yahweh, for we rely on you"), Yahweh routed the Cushites—no one remained alive. Judean troops seized much booty near Gerar and then returned to Jerusalem.

15:1-7 Inspired sermon by Azariah son of Oded affirms retribution (the spirit also comes on Amasai [1 Chr 12:18], Jahaziel [2 Chr 20:14], and Zechariah [2 Chr 24:20]). Israel long lacked true God, teaching priest, and torah, and it had social unrest [in the period of the judges?]. Azariah urged Asa and Judah-Benjamin to show courage in finishing their work.

15:8-15 Asa put away idols in Judah, Benjamin, and the towns he had captured in Ephraim, repaired the altar, and he gathered Judah and Benjamin, as well as many refugees from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon in third month of his 15^th year. 700 oxen and 7,000 sheep sacrificed from the war booty. They entered a unilateral covenant to seek the God of their ancestors; violators—regardless of age or gender--liable to capital punishment. All Judah sought Yahweh with all their heart and desire. Yahweh was found by them (cf. vv. 2, 4) and Yahweh gave them rest.

15:16-18 Asa removed his mother Maacah because she made an image for Asherah. Asa burned it in Kidron. High places not removed from Israel (cf. 14:2 [14:3]. The heart of Asa was true "all his days." He brought votive gifts to temple.

15:13-15 Similar. High places not removed.

15:19 And there was no war until the 35^th year of Asa [= new stage in his reign].

15:16 War between Asa and Baasha all their days (for Baasha see 15:33-16:7).

16:1-6 In 36^th (LXX 38^th) year of Asa, Baasha attacked Judah and built Ramah. Asa bribed Ben-hadad of Damascus in order to make an alliance like their fathers had had and to break off the alliance of Ben-hadad with Baasha (according to 1 Kgs 16:6, 8: Baasha died in Asa’s 26^th year). Ben-hadad attacked Israel and captured Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all the store-cities of Naphtali. Baasha abandoned Ramah, and Asa used its materials to build Geba and Mizpah.

Made a proclamation for all Judah to build Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.

16:7-10 Hanani (father of the prophet Jehu in 1 Kgs 16:1, 7; 2 Chr 19:2; 20:34) rebuked Asa for relying on Ben-hadad. God previously had helped him defeat Cushites and Libyans. "For the eyes of Yahweh range throughout the entire earth" (= quotation from Zech 4:10). From now on Asa to have wars. Asa put Hanani in stocks (cf. Jer. 20:2-3) and treated the people cruelly.

16:11 Deeds of Asa recorded in Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel (not a prophetic source).

15:23a . . . in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah

16:12-14 In his 39^th year Asa was diseased in his feet (gangrene? venereal disease?). He did not seek Yahweh, but sought physicians. Asa died in 41^st year of his reign. They buried him in tomb he had carved in the city of David. Many spices of the perfumer’s art. Great fire in his honor.

15:23b-24a In his old age he was diseased in his feet. Asa died and was buried in city of his father David.

Cf. 15:33 In the third year of Asa, Baasha began to rule over Israel and he reigned for 24 years.