2 Chronicles 14
Lexham English Bible
The Reign of Asa in Judah
14 [a] And Abijah slept with his ancestors,[b] and they buried him in the city of David. And Asa his son became king in his place. In his days the land was at rest ten years. 2 Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of Yahweh his God. 3 He removed the foreign altars and high places, broke down the stone pillars, and cut down the Asherahs. 4 And he commanded Judah to seek Yahweh, the God of their ancestors,[c] and to keep the law and the commandment. 5 And he removed the high places and the incense stands from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom had rest under[d] him. 6 And he built fortified cities in Judah, for the land was at rest. Under[e] him there was no war in those years, for Yahweh had given rest to him. 7 And he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls, towers, gates, and bars while the land is before us, because we have sought Yahweh our God. We have sought and he has given rest to us on every side.” So they built and had success. 8 And Asa had an army of three hundred thousand from Judah, bearing shields and spears, and two hundred and eighty thousand from Benjamin who carried shields and drew bows. All of these were mighty warriors of strength.
9 Zerah the Cushite came out against them with an army of a thousand thousands and three hundred chariots. And he came to Mareshah. 10 And Asa went out before him, and a battle was put in order in the valley of Zepah at Mareshah.
11 Then Asa cried out to Yahweh his God. And he said, “O Yahweh, there is none with you to help between the great and the powerless. Help us, O Yahweh our God, for we rely upon you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Yahweh, you are our God! Let no man prevail against you!”
12 So Yahweh defeated the Cushites before Asa and before Judah, and the Cushites fled. 13 Then Asa and the army[f] with him pursued them to Gerar. And many from the Cushites fell, for they had no deliverance, for they were shattered before Yahweh and before his army. And they carried away much war booty. 14 And they struck all the cities around Gerar, for the fear of Yahweh was upon them. And they plundered all the cities, for there was much plunder in them. 15 And they also struck the tents of the herdsmen and carried away many sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.
Footnotes
- 2 Chronicles 14:1 2 Chronicles 14:1–15 in the English Bible is 13:23–14:14 in the Hebrew Bible
- 2 Chronicles 14:1 Or “fathers”
- 2 Chronicles 14:4 Or “fathers”
- 2 Chronicles 14:5 Or “before”
- 2 Chronicles 14:6 Or “With”
- 2 Chronicles 14:13 Or “people”
2 Chronicles 14
New American Standard Bible
Asa Succeeds Abijah in Judah
14 [a](A)So Abijah [b]lay down with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David, and his son Asa became king in his place. The land was undisturbed for ten years during his days.
2 [c]And Asa did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God, 3 for he removed (B)the foreign altars and (C)high places, tore down the memorial stones, cut down the [d](D)Asherim, 4 and commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers and to [e]comply with the Law and the commandment. 5 He also removed the high places and the (E)incense altars from all the cities of Judah. And the kingdom was undisturbed under him. 6 (F)He built fortified cities in Judah, since the land was undisturbed, and [f]there was no one at war with him during those years, (G)because the Lord had given him rest. 7 For he said to Judah, “(H)Let’s build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still [g]ours because we have sought the Lord our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered. 8 Now Asa had an army of (I)three hundred thousand from Judah, carrying large shields and spears, and 280,000 from Benjamin, carrying shields and wielding bows; all of them were valiant warriors.
9 Now Zerah the Ethiopian (J)went out against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and he came to (K)Mareshah. 10 So Asa went out [h]to meet him, and they drew up in battle formation in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 11 Then Asa (L)called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; help us, Lord our God, (M)for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You.” 12 So (N)the Lord [i]routed the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. 13 Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as (O)Gerar; and so many Ethiopians fell that [j]they could not recover, for they were shattered before the Lord and before His army. And they carried away a very large amount of plunder. 14 They [k]destroyed all the cities around Gerar, (P)for the dread of the Lord had fallen on them; and they pillaged all the cities, for there was much plunder in them. 15 They also fatally struck [l]those who owned livestock, and they led away large numbers of sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.
Footnotes
- 2 Chronicles 14:1 Ch 13:23 in Heb
- 2 Chronicles 14:1 I.e., died
- 2 Chronicles 14:2 Ch 14:1 in Heb
- 2 Chronicles 14:3 I.e., wooden symbols of a female deity (Asherah)
- 2 Chronicles 14:4 Lit do the
- 2 Chronicles 14:6 Lit no war was with him
- 2 Chronicles 14:7 Lit before us
- 2 Chronicles 14:10 Lit before him
- 2 Chronicles 14:12 Lit struck
- 2 Chronicles 14:13 Or there was none left alive
- 2 Chronicles 14:14 Lit struck
- 2 Chronicles 14:15 Lit tents of livestock
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