2 Chronicles 16 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

2 Chronicles 16 Short Summary:

Baasha, the king of Israel, fortified the city of Ramah to restrict the movement of the people of Judah. Asa, the king of Judah, took money from the Temple and hired the Syrians to attack Israel. Asa’s plan worked but God was displeased with the king because he trusted in Syria instead of the Lord. The end of 2 Chronicles 16 documents the death of Asa at the end of his 41-year reign.

2 Chronicles 16 Extended Summary

WHEN:

• King Asa reigned over Judah for 41 years. His reign fits within the window of 960-910 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• Asa – King of Judah.

• Baasha – King of Israel.

• Ben-hadad – King of Syria. He was an ally of the kings of Judah.

• Hanani – A seer who delivered a message from God to Asa.

WHERE:

• Asa reigned as king over Judah from Jerusalem.

• Ramah, a city just north of Jerusalem is a central point of conflict in this chapter.

• The Syrians inhabited the land just north of the Promised Land. During Asa’s reign, they attacked Israelite cities in the territory of Naphtali.

OUTLINE:

• ASA SEEKS HELP FROM SYRIA (16:1-10):

  • In Asa’s 36th year as king over Judah, Baasha, the king of Israel, fortified the city of Ramah to prevent people from travelling in or out of Judah to his land. 

  • Rather than going to God for help, Asa took gold and silver out of the Temple treasury and sent it to Syria to hire them to attack Israel from the north.

  • Ben-hadad helped Judah by attacking the cities in the territory of Naphtali.

  • Baasha had to abandon his work fortifying Ramah to fight against the Syrians.

  • The men of Judah went up to Ramah, took all Baasha’s building supplies, and used them to build their own cities.

  • After Judah’s seeming success, a seer named Hanani went to King Asa and rebuked him for going to Syria for help instead of God.

  • He reminded Asa that God had saved him from the huge African army that came against him earlier in his reign (14:9).

  • Henani prophesied that Asa’s kingdom would be plagued by additional wars due to the king’s misplaced trust.

  • Henani’s words enraged Asa, and he had the seer thrown in prison.

• THE FINAL YEARS OF ASA’S LIFE (16:11-14):

  • In Asa’s 39th year as king, he became severely sick with a disease of the feet.

  • Instead of asking God for help, he sought help from doctors.

  • Asa died during his 41st year. He was buried in Jerusalem.
    

APPLICATION:

• I love Henani’s words to Asa in verse 9, he said, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.”

• God is actively looking to help and support His people on the earth.

• Its not as if we have to beg God to help us and hope He is in a gracious mood when we make our request.

• The text gives the image of God constantly scanning the earth, poised at every moment to provide heaven’s support to His saints in need.

• Remember the way God is described in this passage and don’t hesitate to call out to God when you need help. He is always listening for the prayers of the people who love Him.