Asa Stopped Depending on God

From the last chapter, King Asa had favour from God who gave him peace from the surrounding nations, because he renewed the covenant between his nation and the LORD, and also tore down the idol worshipping places. At the threat of the Ethiopian enemy, God delivered Asa and Judah with a stunning victory. However after 35 years of peace, Baasha, King of Israel was preparing for war against Judah. Baasha fortified Ramah in preparation for war.

In response, instead of going to the LORD again, Asa decided to pay off Ben-Hadad, king of Syria, to cause him to switch allegiance from Israel to Judah. So Syria attacked Israel and caused Baasha to abandon Ramah. Asa took Ramah and the materials to build and fortify the cities of Geba and Mizpah.

Hanani the seer told Asa that he had made a mistake by not asking the LORD for help, but instead trusted another nation. Hanani reminded Asa that "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him". In response, Asa imprisoned Hanani.

Towards the end when Asa was sick, he placed his trust on doctors rather the the LORD. Asa was not the first one who started off well by trusting the LORD, like Solomon, then changed their dependence to something else. It is a warning to us who walk with the LORD now, to keep vigilant in guarding our relationship with our LORD.



2 Chronicles 16

Asa’s Treaty with Syria

 1 In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. 2 Then Asa brought silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben-Hadad king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying, 3 “Let there be a treaty between you and me, as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold; come, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”
4 So Ben-Hadad heeded King Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel. They attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim, and all the storage cities of Naphtali. 5 Now it happened, when Baasha heard it, that he stopped building Ramah and ceased his work. 6 Then King Asa took all Judah, and they carried away the stones and timber of Ramah, which Baasha had used for building; and with them he built Geba and Mizpah.

Hanani’s Message to Asa
 
7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. 8 Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” 10 Then Asa was angry with the seer, and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him because of this. And Asa oppressed some of the people at that time.

Illness and Death of Asa
 
11 Note that the acts of Asa, first and last, are indeed written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 12 And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians.
13 So Asa rested with his fathers; he died in the forty-first year of his reign. 14 They buried him in his own tomb, which he had made for himself in the City of David; and they laid him in the bed which was filled with spices and various ingredients prepared in a mixture of ointments. They made a very great burning for him.