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2 Chronicles 16

14 verses

TL;DR

King Asa of Judah allies with Syria, faces military defeat, is rebuked by a seer, then suffers illness and dies.

Summary

In 2 Chronicles 16 Asa of Judah allies with King Baasha of Israel by supporting his fortification at Ramah and sending tribute to King Benhadad of Syria. The Syrian king, persuaded by Asa, attacks Israel’s northern cities, causing Baasha to halt his construction. Asa builds on the abandoned site of Ramah, creating Geba and Mizpah. Seer Hanani confronts Asa, accusing him of relying on Syria instead of God, and predicts future wars. Asa imprisons the seer and oppresses his people. The chapter records Asa’s later years, noting a debilitating foot disease he treats with physicians instead of the Lord, and concludes with his death and burial in a self-made tomb in Jerusalem’s City of David. The narrative emphasizes the consequences of trusting human allies over divine guidance.

Outline
  1. Asa allies with Baasha and Benhadad, leading to war
  2. Seer Hanani rebukes Asa for relying on foreign power
  3. Asa’s later illness, death, and burial
Themes
Reliance on human alliances versus divine providenceProphetic warning and its receptionConsequences of disobedience and seeking worldly remedies
Keywords
AsaBaashaBenhadadHananiRamahProphecyFoot disease
People
AsaBaashaBenhadadHananiphysicians
Places
JudahIsraelRamahDamascusIjonDanAbelmaimNaphtaliGebaMizpahCity of David
Things
silvergoldstonestimberseerphysiciansspices
Key Verses
  • 2 Chronicles 16:7: Rebukes Asa for trusting Syria over God
  • 2 Chronicles 16:12: Highlights Asa’s reliance on physicians instead of the Lord
  • 2 Chronicles 16:1: Sets the stage for Asa’s alliance and the ensuing conflict
Questions
  • Why did Asa trust a foreign king instead of the Lord?
  • What does Hanani’s rebuke reveal about the role of prophets?
  • How does Asa’s illness reflect his earlier decisions?
  • What lessons does this narrative offer about political alliances?
  • In what ways does the account of Asa’s burial emphasize his status or character?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter contains both commendation of faith and admonition of disobedience, leading to a mixed emotional tone.