By Jay T. Robertson, Ph. D.
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Mobile
RETURN
1 Kings 15:9–22
Rehoboam was succeeded on the throne by his son Abijam, who reigned over Judah three years. Abijam committed all the sins his father had done before him. We are not told the cause of his death, but we are given a diagnosis of his spiritual problem: “He was not wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord his God as his ancestor David had been.” Abijam’s son Asa succeeded him. Was there any hope for Judah? Would Asa’s reign be characterized by spiritual rebellion or spiritual renewal?
Wholehearted (9–15)
By God’s grace, Asa was a person of different character. He reigned over Judah longer than anyone before him. During his 41 years as king, six different kings sat on the throne of Israel. What set Asa apart was not the length of his reign but his devotion to God. Asa was one of Judah’s good kings, putting him in an elite group of kings with Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah and Josiah.
In addition to serving God personally, he attempted to end the pagan practices Solomon, Rehoboam and Abijam had allowed. He initiated some drastic changes in Judah.
First, he banished the sacred prostitutes his father and grandfather had ignored. These prostitutes had sexual relations with worshippers of false gods to induce agricultural or personal fertility.
Second, he destroyed all the idols his fathers made. This was no small feat. Solomon had 700 wives and built shrines on the high places where they could worship their gods (1 Kings 11:7–8).
Third, Asa deposed his grandmother Maacah, who held the important position of queen mother. She was involved in pagan fertility worship, and she had sponsored an Asherah pole. Asa cut the pole down and burned it in the Kidron Valley.
Asa initiated these necessary reforms because he “was wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord his entire life.” He removed things that would get in the way of worshipping the One True God rightly and reverently.
Cornered (16–19)
Asa’s main political and military concerns revolved around the border with Israel. Asa and Baasha, Jeroboam’s eventual successor in the north, fought throughout their reigns. Israel’s king, Baasha, fortified Ramah, a city four miles north of Jerusalem on the main road leading to Jerusalem from the north. If Baasha could successfully control Ramah, he could keep anyone from heading south to Jerusalem.
Baasha posed such a threat that Asa withdrew all the silver and gold at his disposal from the temple and the royal treasuries so he could bribe Ben-hadad, king of Syria, to break Syria’s treaty with Israel and come rescue him. God rebuked Asa for depending on the army of Syria rather than trusting in Him (2 Chron. 16:7–10). Asa’s actions violated his commitment to God. He had looked to Syria rather than to God for rescue. Whenever you feel cornered, remember to cry out to the Lord and trust in Him. Our God is faithful.
Resolved (20–22)
Ben-hadad accepted the bribe and marched on upper Galilee. Baasha was forced to withdraw his troops from the southern border to fortify his capital city, Tirzah. Then Asa seized the opportunity to tear down the fortifications at Ramah. He fortified two other border towns. Asa’s quick response pushed the border several miles north, providing a larger defensive zone for Jerusalem.
Asa received a favorable judgment from the writer of Kings. He rose to the challenge and stopped Judah from spiraling downward into sin that had begun under Solomon and continued under Rehoboam and Abijam. Asa led the nation to repent of the sin of idolatry, and he set an example by being devoted to the Lord.
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