So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years. Ver. 1. _So Abijah slept with his fathers._] See 1 Kings 2:10 . _ In the city of David._] There David's sepulchre was to be seen in the apostl... [ Continue Reading ]
And Asa did [that which was] good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God: Ver. 2. _And Asa did that which was good._] See 1 Kings 15:11 . _ In the eyes of the Lord._] Not in his own eyes, or the eyes of men, _qui larvis ducuntur,_ which are oft bemisted.... [ Continue Reading ]
For he took away the altars of the strange [gods], and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: Ver. 3. _And the high places._] Erected to idols; not the other. 1Ki 15:14... [ Continue Reading ]
And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. Ver. 4. _And commanded Judah._] It is not enough to pull down superstition; but God's sincere service also must be set up.... [ Continue Reading ]
Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. Ver. 5. _And the images._] Heb., The sun images: _Hammonim,_ the images of Jupiter Ammon, as some _a_ will have it. _ a_ A Lapide.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest. Ver. 6. _And he built fenced cities._] Though he had no war, yet he provided for it. So did our Queen Elizabeth; and so must every Christian soldier.... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about [them] walls, and towers, gates, and bars, [while] the land [is] yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought [him], and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered. Ver. 7. _Becau... [ Continue Reading ]
And Asa had an army [of men] that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these [were] mighty men of valour. Ver. 8. _Two hundred and fourscore thousand._] "Little Benjamin" was grown... [ Continue Reading ]
And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah. Ver. 9. _And there came out against them._] Called in, likely, by the ten tribes, in revenge of the late overthrow given them by Abijah. _ Zerah the Ethiopia... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah._ Ver. 10. _In the valley of Zephathah._] See Judges 1:17 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, [it is] nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou [art] our God; let not man prevail against thee. Ver.... [ Continue Reading ]
So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. Ver. 12. _So the Lord smote the Ethiopians._] _Egit in praecipitiurn,_ he tumbled them down headlong.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Asa and the people that [were] with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil. Ver. 13. _Unto Gerar._] A city of the Philistines, wh... [ Continue Reading ]
And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them. Ver. 14. _And they smote all the cities._] See on 2 Chronicles 14:13 .... [ Continue Reading ]
They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem. Ver. 15. _They smote also the tents of cattle._] The Arabian Scenites, who had also aided the Ethiopians, and now had enough of it. "So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]