And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father. And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron. 1 Kings 15:10-13
1 Kings 15:9-24 / 2 Chronicles 14:2-16:4, Asa of Judah (910-869 B.C.)
Asa is one of only eight kings of Judah who are said to have been good in God’s eyes. Not one king of Israel is so praised. Each of them “did evil.”
Some 30 years after Shishak, Asa defeats another Egyptian army, under a commander called Serah. Asa’s attitude of humble dependence on God is shown in his prayer recorded in 2 Chronicles 14:11, 12. After the victory, an encouraging message from the prophet Azariah motivates Asa to purge the land of idolatrous worship centers and repair the temple altar at Jerusalem. He then leads a great revival worship service (2 Chron. 15:10-15) which causes additional thousands to move to Judah from Israel for freedom to worship God according to his law.
9 And in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel reigned Asa over Judah. 10 And forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s [3] name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. 11 And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father. 12 And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. 13 And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed [4] her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.
Asa’s 40 year reign does not end as well as it begins. War threatens with Israel. Without inquiring of the Lord, Asa makes a treaty with Benhadad of Aram (Syria), who attacks Israel. This removes the pressure from the Judea border. But in spite of the success of the strategy, the prophet Hannai rebukes the king. He has failed to trust the Lord and has relied on a pagan nation! The furious Asa does not repent but imprisons the prophet (16:7-10). On balance, however, Asa was one of Judah’s more godly kings.
–> Difference between KJV vs. NKJV found in this chapter. “Sodomites” (A very specific term) in KJV is changed to “perverted persons” (a very generic term) in KNJV. Many words have been altered between the 2 versions and also in all other versions of the Bible (from dragons to jackals etc.). Now I realize how important it is to read KJV.
Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father. 12 And he took away the sodomites out of the land (KJV) 1 Kings 15:11, 12
Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did his father David. 12 And he banished the perverted persons from the land (NKJV)
–> what was good in God’s eyes: destroy idols, lead people to worship God and not false gods.
–> What was evil in God’s eyes: idol worship, networking with pagan nations, not going to God first to inquire before taking actions. –> Ecumenism is evil in God’s eyes.
1 Kings 15:25-31. Nadab of Israel (909-909 B.C.)
Nadab is the son of Jeroboam. As the prophet Ahijah has foretold, (1 Kings 14), he is assassinated. His killer destroys Jeroboam’s whole family.
26 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.
1 Kings 15:33-16:7. Baasha of Israel (908-886 B.C.)
Baasha has replaced Jeroboam’s dynasty. But he follows the apostate system set up by that king. Little is told of Baasha’s 24 year reign. However, he is the king against whom Asa stirs up Benhadad I, so he did threaten Judah with war.
34 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.
