REIGN OF ASA (2 Chronicles 14-16.)

(a) EFFORTS TO ROOT OUT ILLEGITIMATE WORSHIPS, AND TO STRENGTHEN THE SYSTEM OF NATIONAL DEFENCES (2Chronicles 14:2-7; comp. 1Kings 15:9-15).

(2) That which was good and right.--Literally, The good and the right, an expression defined in 2Chronicles 14:3-4. It is used of Hezekiah, 2Chronicles 31:20. See 1Kings 15:11, "And Asa did the right in the eyes of the Lord, like David his father."

For (and) . . . the altars of the strange gods.--Literally, altars of the alien. Vulg., "altaria peregrini cultus." Comp. the expression, gods of the alien (Gen. xxxv, 2, 4). (Comp. 1Kings 15:12 b, and he took away all the idols that his fathers had made; a summary statement, which is here expanded into details.) But both here and in 2Chronicles 12:1-2, the chronicler has omitted to mention the qed?shim (Authorised Version, "Sodomites") (1Kings 15:12 a)

And the high places.--i.e., those dedicated to foreign religions. It is clear from 2Chronicles 15:17, as well as 1Kings 15:14, that high places dedicated to the worship of Jehovah were not done away with by Asa.

Brake down the images.--Brake in pieces (or shattered) the pillars. They were dedicated to Baal, and symbolised the solar rays, being, no doubt, a species of obelisk. (See Genesis 28:18; Exodus 34:13; Judges 3:7.)

The "high places, images, and groves" of this verse are all mentioned in 1Kings 14:23.

Verse 2. - That which was good and right. Our Authorized Version does not omit to mark the first three words with italic type, the simple and emphatic original being, the good and the straight.

14:1-15 Asa's piety, He strengthens his kingdom. - Asa aimed at pleasing God, and studied to approve himself to him. Happy those that walk by this rule, not to do that which is right in their own eyes, or in the eye of the world, but which is so in God's sight. We find by experience that it is good to seek the Lord; it gives us rest; while we pursue the world, we meet with nothing but vexation. Asa consulted with his people how to make a good use of the peace they enjoyed; and concluded with them that they must not be idle, nor secure. A formidable army of Ethiopians invaded Asa's kingdom. This evil came upon them, that their faith in God might be tried. Asa's prayer is short, but it is the real language of faith and expectation from God. When we go forth in God's name, we cannot but prosper, and all things work together for the good of those whom he favours.And Asa did that which was good and right,.... See 1 Kings 15:11.