Bible Chapter Summary
2 Chronicles 16 Summary
Asa's Reliance on Syria and Rejection of the Prophet
In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign, Baasha king of Israel builds up Ramah to blockade Judah. Rather than trusting the Lord as before, Asa takes silver and gold from the temple and king's house and sends them to Ben-hadad king of Syria to break his alliance with Baasha. Ben-hadad attacks Israel's northern cities, forcing Baasha to cease his work. Asa reuses the stones and timber to build Geba and Mizpah. The seer Hanani rebukes Asa for relying on the Syrian king instead of the Lord, reminding him of his earlier victory over the Ethiopians through faith. Asa becomes angry, imprisons Hanani, and oppresses some people. He later develops a foot disease and does not seek the Lord's healing but turns to physicians.
Key themes
Key verses
2 Chronicles 16:1-3
“In 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.”
2 Chronicles 16:7-9
“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 16:10
“Then 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.”
2 Chronicles 16:12
“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.”
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