Introduction:
Asa, the third king of the Kingdom of Judah, is remembered as a ruler who earnestly sought to follow the ways of the Lord. His reign is documented in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, where he is depicted as a reformer who endeavored to lead his people back to the worship of Yahweh. Asa's reign is marked by religious reforms, military victories, and a commitment to the covenant with God.

Background:
Asa was the son of Abijah and the grandson of Rehoboam, making him a direct descendant of King David. He ascended to the throne of Judah following the death of his father, Abijah. Asa's reign lasted 41 years, from approximately 911 to 870 BC, during which he sought to restore the spiritual integrity of Judah.

Religious Reforms:
One of Asa's most notable achievements was his zealous commitment to purging idolatry from Judah. He removed foreign altars and high places, shattered sacred pillars, and cut down Asherah poles. Asa commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and to obey His laws and commandments. The Berean Standard Bible records, "Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done" (1 Kings 15:11).

Asa's reforms extended to his own family, as he deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa's actions demonstrated his unwavering dedication to upholding the worship of Yahweh and eradicating idolatry from the land.

Military Successes:
Asa's reign was also characterized by military successes, which he attributed to divine favor. Early in his reign, Asa faced a formidable threat from Zerah the Cushite, who marched against Judah with a vast army. Asa called upon the Lord for help, praying, "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 mere mortals prevail against You" (2 Chronicles 14:11). The Lord answered Asa's prayer, granting Judah a decisive victory over the Cushites.

Covenant Renewal:
In the fifteenth year of his reign, Asa led the people of Judah in a covenant renewal ceremony. They gathered in Jerusalem, offering sacrifices to the Lord and entering into a covenant to seek the Lord with all their heart and soul. The people rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn it wholeheartedly. The Berean Standard Bible notes, "They sought God eagerly, and He was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side" (2 Chronicles 15:15).

Challenges and Later Years:
Despite his early successes, Asa's later years were marked by challenges. In his thirty-sixth year, Asa faced a threat from Baasha, king of Israel. Instead of relying on the Lord as he had done previously, Asa sought an alliance with Ben-Hadad, king of Aram. This decision was rebuked by the prophet Hanani, who reminded Asa of his earlier reliance on God. Asa's response was one of anger, and he imprisoned the prophet.

In his final years, Asa suffered from a severe foot disease. The Berean Standard Bible records, "Yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but only the physicians" (2 Chronicles 16:12). Asa's reliance on human means rather than seeking divine intervention marked a departure from his earlier faithfulness.

Legacy:
Despite the shortcomings in his later years, Asa is remembered as a good king who earnestly sought to lead Judah in the ways of the Lord. His commitment to religious reform and his reliance on God during times of crisis set a standard for future generations. Asa's reign is a testament to the blessings that come from seeking the Lord and the importance of maintaining faithfulness throughout one's life.1 Kings 15:11
And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Asa
... evil, but overcome evil with good." Asa was a noble example of obedience to that
command. It is clear from the narrative, in the First Book of Kings, that Asa ...
//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/asa.htm

The Two Boy Kings.
... There were a few good kings of Judah, such as Asa and Jehoshaphat, and Hezekiah,
and among them were two who became kings when they were very young. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxx the two boy.htm

Asa's Reformation, and Consequent Peace and victory
... 'And Asa did that which was good and right ... thorough clearance of idolatrous emblems
and images which Asa made ... 1 Kings 15:13 adds a detail which brings out still ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture g/asas reformation and consequent peace.htm

Genealogy of Jesus According to Matthew.
... first as a patriarch, second as one of the kings; and thus ... king who reformed his
kingdom of Judah]; 8 and Asa begat Jehoshaphat [a good king, much ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/iii genealogy of jesus according.htm

How Zerah, King of the Ethiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa ...
... affairs of mankind, and how he loves good men, and ... root and branch; for many of these
kings of Israel ... for their transgression and wickedness; but Asa, who was ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how zerah king.htm

Jehoshaphat
... five, Jehoshaphat had before him the example of good King Asa, who in nearly every
crisis had done "that which was right in the eyes of the Lord." 1 Kings 15:11 ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 15 jehoshaphat.htm

National Apostasy
... because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin."
1 Kings 15:29, 30. ... For many years "Asa did that which was good and right ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 8 national apostasy.htm

Chronicles
... himself; following Kings (1 Kings 15:14, xxii.43) he says that Asa and Jehoshaphat ...
2 Chron, xiv.5, xvii.6) as, on his theory,"being good kings, they should. ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/chronicles.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... to the Temple at Jerusalem; and the kings, though obedient ... Asa's mother, Maachah,
a daughter of Absalom, even had ... His end was less good than his beginning; he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

The Knowledge of God
... Asa had his blemishes, but his heart was right with God.2 Chron 15:17. ... I Kings
14:13. Because there is in him some good thing.' God sees some good thing in his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 the knowledge of god.htm

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