1. καὶ ἐποίησεν τὸ καλὸν καὶ τὸ εὐθὲς ἐνώπιον κυρίου θεοῦ αὐτοῦ
2. καὶ ἀπέστησεν τὰ θυσιαστήρια τῶν ἀλλοτρίων καὶ τὰ ὑψηλὰ καὶ συνέτριψεν τὰς στήλας καὶ ἐξέκοψεν τὰ ἄλση
3. καὶ εἶπεν τῷ Ιουδα ἐκζητῆσαι τὸν κύριον θεὸν τῶν πατέρων αὐτῶν καὶ ποιῆσαι τὸν νόμον καὶ τὰς ἐντολάς
4. καὶ ἀπέστησεν ἀπὸ πασῶν τῶν πόλεων Ιουδα τὰ θυσιαστήρια καὶ τὰ εἴδωλα καὶ εἰρήνευσεν
5. πόλεις τειχήρεις ἐν γῇ Ιουδα ὅτι εἰρήνευσεν ἡ γῆ καὶ οὐκ ἦν αὐτῷ πόλεμος ἐν τοῖς ἔτεσιν τούτοις ὅτι κατέπαυσεν αὐτῷ κύριος
6. καὶ εἶπεν τῷ Ιουδα οἰκοδομήσωμεν τὰς πόλεις ταύτας καὶ ποιήσωμεν τείχη καὶ πύργους καὶ πύλας καὶ μοχλοὺς ἐν ᾧ τῆς γῆς κυριεύσομεν ὅτι καθὼς ἐξεζητήσαμεν κύριον θεὸν ἡμῶν ἐξεζήτησεν ἡμᾶς καὶ κατέπαυσεν ἡμᾶς κυκλόθεν καὶ εὐόδωσεν ἡμῖν
7. καὶ ἐγένετο τῷ Ασα δύναμις ὁπλοφόρων αἰρόντων θυρεοὺς καὶ δόρατα ἐν γῇ Ιουδα τριακόσιαι χιλιάδες καὶ ἐν γῇ Βενιαμιν πελτασταὶ καὶ τοξόται διακόσιαι καὶ πεντήκοντα χιλιάδες πάντες οὗτοι πολεμισταὶ δυνάμεως
8. καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐπ’ αὐτοὺς Ζαρε ὁ Αἰθίοψ ἐν δυνάμει ἐν χιλίαις χιλιάσιν καὶ ἅρμασιν τριακοσίοις καὶ ἦλθεν ἕως Μαρισα
9. καὶ ἐξῆλθεν Ασα εἰς συνάντησιν αὐτῷ καὶ παρετάξατο πόλεμον ἐν τῇ φάραγγι κατὰ βορρᾶν Μαρισης
10. καὶ ἐβόησεν Ασα πρὸς κύριον θεὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν κύριε οὐκ ἀδυνατεῖ παρὰ σοὶ σῴζειν ἐν πολλοῖς καὶ ἐν ὀλίγοις κατίσχυσον ἡμᾶς κύριε ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν ὅτι ἐπὶ σοὶ πεποίθαμεν καὶ ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί σου ἤλθαμεν ἐπὶ τὸ πλῆθος τὸ πολὺ τοῦτο κύριε ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν μὴ κατισχυσάτω πρὸς σὲ ἄνθρωπος
11. καὶ ἐπάταξεν κύριος τοὺς Αἰθίοπας ἐναντίον Ιουδα καὶ ἔφυγον οἱ Αἰθίοπες
12. καὶ κατεδίωξεν Ασα καὶ ὁ λαὸς αὐτοῦ ἕως Γεδωρ καὶ ἔπεσον Αἰθίοπες ὥστε μὴ εἶναι ἐν αὐτοῖς περιποίησιν ὅτι συνετρίβησαν ἐνώπιον κυρίου καὶ ἐναντίον τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐσκύλευσαν σκῦλα πολλά
13. καὶ ἐξέκοψαν τὰς κώμας αὐτῶν κύκλῳ Γεδωρ ὅτι ἐγενήθη ἔκστασις κυρίου ἐπ’ αὐτούς καὶ ἐσκύλευσαν πάσας τὰς πόλεις αὐτῶν ὅτι πολλὰ σκῦλα ἐγενήθη αὐτοῖς
14. καί γε σκηνὰς κτήσεων τοὺς Αμαζονεῖς ἐξέκοψαν καὶ ἔλαβον πρόβατα πολλὰ καὶ καμήλους καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν εἰς Ιερουσαλημ
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)
