2 Chronicles 15

The prophet Azariah is not mentioned elsewhere. His speech to King Asa and the people of Judah also conveyed the Chronicler’s message to the people of Judah after the exile in Babylon: The Lord will stay with his people, he will be found by those who seek him, and he will reward their obedience.

The dark times, caused by not knowing God (see Hosea 3:4–5), likely refer to the period of the judges.

there was no safety for travelers: Compare Judges 5:6–8 and Zechariah 8:10.

The call to be strong and courageous is a direct quote from what Moses and Joshua told Israel when they first entered the land (Deuteronomy 31:6–7; Joshua 1:6, 9, 18).

He captured towns in the hill country of Ephraim during his war with Baasha (2 Chronicles 16:1). Baasha and Asa were constantly at war (see 1 Kings 15:16).

The Chronicler described Asa’s response using the prophet’s exact words, but Asa's actions exceeded the general advice. When Asa heard the prophecy, he bravely started a wide-ranging reform. He began by removing the offensive idols that had returned to the land (see 2 Chronicles 14:5). Complete trust in God had won the war against the Cushites, and fully renewing the covenant brought peace to the promised land (2 Chronicles 15:15).

• those from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh: The Chronicler always included the northern tribes in his accounts of spiritual reform (compare 2 Chronicles 30:1–11).

• The territory of Simeon became part of Judah.

The covenant renewal ceremony in the third month likely took place during the Festival of Harvest, also known as Pentecost. This major festival attracted large crowds to the temple from nearby areas. Disloyalty to the covenant was seen as treason and was punishable by death (Deuteronomy 17:2–7). The sacrifices were offerings dedicated from the victory over Zerah (2 Chronicles 14:15).

• The queen mother was the leading lady of the realm, usually holding the position for life. When she died, the title went to the mother of the next in line for the throne. There is no evidence that the queen mother had official duties, but she had significant influence.

• Asherah is well known from Canaanite stories as the wife of the god El and the mother of seventy children, including Baal. Her image likely had noticeable sexual features, which was common in Canaanite art.

• his grandmother: Literally his mother. The term “mother” can refer to any female ancestor. See 2 Chronicles 11:20, where Maacah is named as the mother of Abijah (Asa’s father).

• no war: Most translations, like the New Living Translation, add "more" to help explain the likely meaning. If "no war" is the better reading, the thirty-fifth year might refer to the thirty-fifth year since the northern and southern kingdoms divided. This was around when Zerah the Ethiopian invaded Judah and Asa defeated him (2 Chronicles 14:9–15). But see the study note on 2 Chronicles 16:1.

• The Chronicler adds chronological notes to divide Asa’s reign into periods that show the results of his decisions (see 2 Chronicles 14:1; 15:10; 16:1, 12, 13). The early battles with the north were considered unimportant for that time, although the Chronicler knew about them (see 2 Chronicles 15:8). Asa’s early reign was marked by divine favor due to his obedience.