Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary2 Chronicles 14

Asa King of JudahThis section talks about King Asa’s early reign in Judah. It describes how Asa turned the people away from idols, encouraged them to follow the Lord

v. 2: And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord

v. 3: For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves.Asa removed the places and things connected with idol worship. He destroyed the altars and images for other gods and cut down the groves where people worshipped idols. He wanted Judah to worship only the true God .

v. 4: And commanded Judah to seek the Lord

v. 5: Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.Asa went throughout Judah and removed the high places and idols from every city. Because of these reforms, God gave the land peace. Even though people loved their idols, they obeyed Asa because they knew he was right .

v. 6: And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the Lord

v. 7: Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the Lord

v. 8: And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.Asa also built up a large and strong army. Judah and Benjamin together had many brave soldiers, ready to protect the land. This shows that Asa was wise to prepare in times of peace for whatever might come later (2 Chronicles 14:8 ).