Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 15

Verses 1-7

2 Chronicles 15:1

(The 1^st edition Hardbound version of the commentary includes the following comments under 1 Kings 15).

Prophetic Warning, 2 Chronicles 15:1-7

Another prophet of the Lord appears for the first time in the Scriptures, Azariah, upon whom God’s Spirit moved. He came meeting Asa and the victorious army of Judah following the slaughter of the Ethiopians. God was sending Azariah with a message of admonition and warning. Its precepts are as true for today as they were in that long gone day. Perhaps the men of Judah and Benjamin were somewhat exultant over the great spoil of so huge an army. Men are inclined to boast in the blessings which God gives them, though it is only by the grace of the Lord they have them. God warned Israel against just such an attitude (De 8:11-18).

Notice 1) Judah and Benjamin are told to hear, that is to pay attention to the word from the Lord they are about to hear; 2) the Lord is with those who are with Him; 3) if He is sought in the proper spirit He will surely be found of the seeker; 4) but, on the contrary He will forsake those who forsake Him. There is a familiar anecdote about Abraham Lincoln, during the Civil War. A lady once asked him, "Mr. President, do you think the Lord is on our side?" To which Lincoln is said to have replied, "I do not know, but I certainly hope we are on the Lord’s side." The prophet was saying to Asa that the Lord’s blessing is assured when His people are with Him, on His side.

Azariah next gives a bit of history about the northern kingdom not elsewhere revealed in the Scriptures. He speaks of the apostasy of that kingdom under her wicked king, Jeroboam and his successors. They had forsaken the true God of Israel, and were without any who taught the law of God or a faithful priest in His service. Then trouble had come to that kingdom, specifically in their terrible loss to Judah in the Battle of Mount Zemaraim. Soon after this old Jeroboam had died, and there was a period of anarchy during which Baasha strove to make himself king by exterminating the family of Jeroboam. City was arrayed against city, the inhabitants of the land suffered great vexation, and there was no peace to be had. But Israel had sought the Lord, and He had heard them.

There were true prophets in the northern kingdom, preaching the truth of God then, though their names and their acts are not recorded. But the distress of the times caused them to seek the Lord. This seems to be part of the warning to Judah. They must not think that it was their goodness, or faithfulness over and above that of the nation of Israel for which God blessed Judah while chastising Israel. God blessed those then who repented and sought His will, then followed His will in obedience. He also blesses those now who likewise remain humble, knowing they are not better than those who are being chastised. It is obedient following which makes the difference, and the tables can be swiftly turned if the condition changes. Therefore, the prophet closed with the words, "Be strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded" cf. 1 Corinthians 16:13; Galatians 6:9.

Verses 8-19

See note on 1 Kings 15:13