Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 15

Verses 1-19

2. Asa’s reform ch. 15

The Chronicler featured Azariah’s sermon (2 Chronicles 15:1-7), Asa’s reformation (2 Chronicles 15:8-15), and Maacah’s removal (2 Chronicles 15:16-19) during the middle part of Asa’s reign.

A message from the prophet Azariah was the spark that ignited revival in Asa’s day. Gerhard von Rad named the literary form in which a confessional statement is made with a quotation from the canonical prophets as "the Levitical Sermon" (cf. 2 Chronicles 15:2-7; 2 Chronicles 16:7-9; 2 Chronicles 19:6-7; 2 Chronicles 20:15-17; 2 Chronicles 20:20; 2 Chronicles 29:5-11). [Note: Gerhard von Rad, The Problem of the Hexateuch and Other Essays, pp. 267-80.] Asa responded to Azariah’s challenge by rededicating the temple, himself, and his people to the Mosaic Covenant. He even executed those who refused to submit to that covenant (Exodus 22:20; Deuteronomy 13:6-9). His removal of the powerful dowager queen (2 Chronicles 15:16) shows that he put spiritual purity above family loyalty. Other significant queen mothers during the monarchy were Bathsheba, Jezebel, and Athaliah. Unfortunately, Asa’s revival did not result in the removal of the high places in Israel (2 Chronicles 15:17), even though Asa destroyed them in Judah (cf. 2 Chronicles 14:3). Asa’s heart was not sinless, but it was blameless all his days (2 Chronicles 15:17). Zeal for the house and worship of the Lord marked him as a true son of David.

The writer counted Simeon among the northern tribes because many of the Simeonites, although some lived within the tribe of Judah, allied with their northern brothers in their religion (cf. 2 Chronicles 34:6). [Note: Keil, pp. 364-65.] Many Simeonites had apparently moved north into Israel.