Asa, the third king of the Kingdom of Judah, was the son of Abijah and the grandson of Rehoboam. His reign is chronicled in 1 Kings 15:9-24 and 2 Chronicles 14-16. Asa ascended to the throne of Judah in the twentieth year of Jeroboam's reign over Israel and ruled for forty-one years, approximately from 911 to 870 BC.

Religious Reforms and Devotion to God

Asa is noted for his religious reforms and dedication to the worship of Yahweh. The Berean Standard Bible records that "Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done" (1 Kings 15:11). He removed the pagan altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles (2 Chronicles 14:3). Asa commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandments (2 Chronicles 14:4).

One of Asa's significant actions was the removal of his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made an obscene image for Asherah. Asa cut down her idol, crushed it, and burned it in the Kidron Valley (1 Kings 15:13).

Military Success and Reliance on God

Asa's reign was marked by military success, attributed to his reliance on God. Early in his reign, Asa faced a formidable threat from Zerah the Cushite, who marched against Judah with an army of a million men and 300 chariots. Asa called upon the LORD, saying, "LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let a mere mortal prevail against You" (2 Chronicles 14:11). The LORD struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah, leading to a great victory and plunder for Judah (2 Chronicles 14:12-15).

Covenant Renewal and National Revival

Following the victory over the Cushites, Asa led a national revival. He gathered the people of Judah and Benjamin, along with those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, to Jerusalem. There, they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul (2 Chronicles 15:12). The people rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn it wholeheartedly, and the LORD gave them rest on every side (2 Chronicles 15:15).

Later Years and Decline

In the latter part of his reign, Asa's reliance on God waned. When Baasha, king of Israel, fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering Judah, Asa sought help from Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, rather than relying on the LORD. He sent silver and gold from the treasuries of the LORD's temple and the royal palace to secure an alliance (1 Kings 15:18-19). This act of reliance on human alliances rather than divine intervention was rebuked by the prophet Hanani, who reminded Asa of his earlier reliance on God during the Cushite invasion (2 Chronicles 16:7-9).

In his final years, Asa suffered from a severe foot disease. Yet, even in his illness, he did not seek the LORD but relied on physicians (2 Chronicles 16:12). Asa's reign ended with his death, and he was buried in the city of David. Despite his shortcomings in later years, Asa is remembered for his early reforms and dedication to the LORD, which brought peace and prosperity to Judah during much of his reign.