1. kai epoihsen to kalon kai to euqeV enwpion kuriou qeou autou
2. kai apesthsen ta qusiasthria twn allotriwn kai ta uyhla kai sunetriyen taV sthlaV kai exekoyen ta alsh
3. kai eipen tw iouda ekzhthsai ton kurion qeon twn paterwn autwn kai poihsai ton nomon kai taV entolaV
4. kai apesthsen apo paswn twn polewn iouda ta qusiasthria kai ta eidwla kai eirhneusen
5. poleiV teichreiV en gh iouda oti eirhneusen h gh kai ouk hn autw polemoV en toiV etesin toutoiV oti katepausen autw kurioV
6. kai eipen tw iouda oikodomhswmen taV poleiV tautaV kai poihswmen teich kai purgouV kai pulaV kai moclouV en w thV ghV kurieusomen oti kaqwV exezhthsamen kurion qeon hmwn exezhthsen hmaV kai katepausen hmaV kukloqen kai euodwsen hmin
7. kai egeneto tw asa dunamiV oploforwn airontwn qureouV kai dorata en gh iouda triakosiai ciliadeV kai en gh beniamin peltastai kai toxotai diakosiai kai penthkonta ciliadeV panteV outoi polemistai dunamewV
8. kai exhlqen ep' autouV zare o aiqioy en dunamei en ciliaiV ciliasin kai armasin triakosioiV kai hlqen ewV marisa
9. kai exhlqen asa eiV sunanthsin autw kai paretaxato polemon en th faraggi kata borran marishV
10. kai ebohsen asa proV kurion qeon autou kai eipen kurie ouk adunatei para soi swzein en polloiV kai en oligoiV katiscuson hmaV kurie o qeoV hmwn oti epi soi pepoiqamen kai epi tw onomati sou hlqamen epi to plhqoV to polu touto kurie o qeoV hmwn mh katiscusatw proV se anqrwpoV
11. kai epataxen kurioV touV aiqiopaV enantion iouda kai efugon oi aiqiopeV
12. kai katediwxen asa kai o laoV autou ewV gedwr kai epeson aiqiopeV wste mh einai en autoiV peripoihsin oti sunetribhsan enwpion kuriou kai enantion thV dunamewV autou kai eskuleusan skula polla
13. kai exekoyan taV kwmaV autwn kuklw gedwr oti egenhqh ekstasiV kuriou ep' autouV kai eskuleusan pasaV taV poleiV autwn oti polla skula egenhqh autoiV
14. kai ge skhnaV kthsewn touV amazoneiV exekoyan kai elabon probata polla kai kamhlouV kai epestreyan eiV ierousalhm
Footnotes:
14:1-5 - Asa, the new king of Judah, promotes religious reforms, removing idols and restoring the worship of God. This emphasizes the importance of righteous government and the pursuit of spiritual purity in the community (see also 2 Kings 18:3-4 and Psalm 101:3).
14:6-7 - Asa trusts God to protect his kingdom, promoting peace and prosperity. His decision to seek the Lord highlights the importance of trusting God in times of both tranquility and difficulty (see also Psalm 118:8-9 and Proverbs 3:5-6).
14:8-12 - Asa faces a larger army, but he trusts in the Lord. The victory is a testament to God's power on behalf of His faithful ones. This demonstrates that faith in God is fundamental to achieving spiritual and temporal victories (see also Psalm 20:7 and Isaiah 41:10).
14:13-15 - Asa and his army defeat the Ethiopians, demonstrating that God is a God of war. Divine intervention in historical battles is a demonstration of His power and His commitment to protecting His people (see also Psalm 46:1 and Romans 8:31).
Verses related to II Crônicas, 14:
2 Chronicles chapter 14 presents the beginning of Asa's reign. What reforms does this pious king implement? This inspiring text describes Asa's initiatives to purify the cult, strengthen Judah's defenses, and its trust in God in the face of the Ethiopian invasion. The chapter covers themes such as the pursuit of spiritual purity, wise preparation, and dependence on God in times of danger. Reflect with us on five biblical passages that relate to the uplifting themes of this foundational chapter.
Psalms 20:7: "Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." - This psalm reflects Asa's attitude in 2 Chronicles 14:11, where he trusts in God in the face of a numerically superior army.
Deuteronomy 7:5: "Do this to them: tear down their altars, break their sacred pillars, cut down their sacred poles and burn their idols." - This commandment of Deuteronomy is fulfilled by Asa in 2 Chronicles 14:3-5, where he removes the idolatrous altars and sacred pillars.
1 Samuel 17:45: "But David said to the Philistine, 'You come against me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'" - David's trust in God in the face of Goliath is similar to Asa's trust in God in the face of the Ethiopian army in 2 Chronicles 14.
Proverbs 21:31: "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the Lord gives victory." - This proverb summarizes the lesson learned in Asa's victory over the Ethiopians in 2 Chronicles 14, where victory came from God, not military force.
Isaiah 31:1: "Woe to those who go down to Egypt in search of help, who lean on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, do not seek help from the Lord!" - This verse contrasts with Asa's actions in 2 Chronicles 14, where he seeks the Lord's help rather than relying on military force.
FAQ:
How did Asa begin his reign in Judah?
Asa began religious reforms, destroying idolatrous altars and seeking God’s help to restore Judah’s spiritual purity. (2 Chronicles 14:2-5)
What did Asa do when faced with the threat of Zera's army?
Asa trusted in God and, with divine power, defeated the Ethiopian army of Zerah, demonstrating the importance of trusting in the Lord. (2 Chronicles 14:9-13)
How did God reward Asa's faith?
God gave victory to Asa and the army of Judah, allowing them to plunder the enemy's spoils, as a sign of God's faithfulness. (2 Chronicles 14:12-14)
What did the prophet Azariah say to Asa?
Azariah encouraged Asa to remain faithful to God, with the promise that God would remain with him if he remained with the Lord. (2 Chronicles 15:1-7)
How did Asa react to the prophet's exhortation?
Asa responded with renewed faithfulness, calling for religious reformation and renewing the covenant with God. (2 Chronicles 15:8-15)
