He banished the male shrine prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. He banishedThe act of banishing indicates a decisive and authoritative action taken by King Asa. The Hebrew root for "banished" is "עָבַר" (avar), which means to pass over or remove. This action reflects Asa's commitment to purifying the land of Judah from practices that were contrary to the worship of Yahweh. In a historical context, this demonstrates Asa's dedication to reform and his desire to align the kingdom with the covenantal laws given to Israel. the male shrine prostitutes
The term refers to "קָדֵשׁ" (qadesh), which were male cultic prostitutes associated with pagan worship practices, particularly those of Canaanite origin. These practices were abominations in the sight of the Lord, as they were linked to fertility rites and idolatry. Asa's removal of these individuals signifies a return to the moral and spiritual standards set forth in the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the importance of sexual purity and the exclusive worship of Yahweh. from the land
This phrase underscores the geographical and spiritual cleansing Asa sought to achieve. The "land" refers to the territory of Judah, which was to be a holy land dedicated to the Lord. By removing these practices from the land, Asa was not only purifying the physical space but also restoring the spiritual integrity of the nation. This act is reminiscent of the covenantal promise that the land would be a place where God's presence dwells among His people. and removed all the idols
The Hebrew word for "idols" is "גִּלּוּלִים" (gillulim), often used to describe detestable images or false gods. Asa's removal of idols signifies a rejection of syncretism and a return to monotheistic worship. Historically, the presence of idols was a recurring issue in Israel's history, leading to spiritual decline and divine judgment. Asa's actions reflect a commitment to the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). that his fathers had made
This phrase highlights the generational sin and the influence of previous kings who had introduced or tolerated idolatry. The reference to "his fathers" indicates a break from the past and a desire to restore the true worship of Yahweh. Asa's reforms can be seen as a fulfillment of the Deuteronomic ideal of kingship, where the king is to lead the people in covenant faithfulness. This also serves as a reminder of the impact of leadership on the spiritual direction of a nation. Persons / Places / Events 1. AsaAsa was the king of Judah who reigned for 41 years. He is noted for his religious reforms and efforts to rid Judah of idolatry and pagan practices. 2. Male Shrine ProstitutesThese were individuals involved in cultic sexual practices associated with pagan worship, which were prevalent in the surrounding nations and had infiltrated Judah. 3. IdolsObjects of worship that were made by Asa's predecessors, representing the gods of the surrounding nations, which were contrary to the worship of Yahweh. 4. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, where Asa reigned as king. It was distinct from the northern kingdom of Israel and had its own line of kings. 5. Asa's FathersRefers to the previous kings of Judah, including Rehoboam and Abijah, who allowed or promoted idolatry and pagan practices. Teaching Points Commitment to PurityAsa's actions demonstrate a commitment to spiritual and moral purity. Believers today are called to remove anything from their lives that hinders their relationship with God. Courage in LeadershipAsa's reforms required courage to go against established practices. Christian leaders are encouraged to stand firm in their convictions, even when it is unpopular. Breaking Generational PatternsAsa broke away from the sinful practices of his ancestors. This teaches that individuals can choose a different path, regardless of their family history. Obedience to God's CommandsAsa's actions were in obedience to God's laws. Christians are reminded of the importance of aligning their lives with Scripture. The Influence of IdolatryThe presence of idols in Judah shows how easily God's people can be led astray. Believers must be vigilant against modern forms of idolatry. Bible Study Questions 1. What specific actions did Asa take to reform Judah, and what can we learn from his approach to leadership? 2. How does Asa's removal of idols and male shrine prostitutes reflect obedience to God's commands in Deuteronomy 23:17 and Exodus 20:3-4? 3. In what ways can modern Christians identify and remove "idols" from their own lives? 4. How can Asa's example of breaking away from the sinful practices of his ancestors inspire us to address generational patterns in our own families? 5. What challenges might a Christian leader face today when implementing reforms or changes that align with biblical principles, and how can they overcome these challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 23:17This verse prohibits the practice of cult prostitution in Israel, highlighting the importance of Asa's actions in aligning with God's commands. 2 Chronicles 14-16These chapters provide a parallel account of Asa's reign, offering additional details about his reforms and reliance on God. 1 Kings 14:24Describes the presence of male shrine prostitutes during Rehoboam's reign, setting the context for Asa's reforms. Exodus 20:3-4The Ten Commandments, which include prohibitions against idolatry, underscore the significance of Asa's removal of idols. People Abel, Abijah, Abijam, Abishalom, Ahijah, Aram, Asa, Baasha, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Benjamin, Dan, David, Hadad, Hezion, Issachar, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Maacah, Maachah, Nadab, Naphtali, Nebat, Rehoboam, Rezon, Sodomites, Tabrimon, Tirzah, Uriah, UrijahPlaces Abel-beth-maacah, Chinneroth, Damascus, Dan, Geba, Gibbethon, Ijon, Jerusalem, Kidron, Mizpah, Ramah, Syria, TirzahTopics Aside, Banished, Cult, Fathers, Gods, Got, Idols, Images, Male, Prostitutes, Purposes, Removed, Removeth, Rid, Sex, Shrine, Sodomites, Turneth, Whoremongers, WorshipDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 15:12 6112 banishment
6238 homosexuality
7442 shrine 1 Kings 15:1-31 5366 king 1 Kings 15:11-12 6239 prostitution
8315 orthodoxy, in OT 1 Kings 15:11-13 4290 valleys 1 Kings 15:11-14 5345 influence 1 Kings 15:12-13 8799 polytheism 1 Kings 15:12-14 8466 reformation Library David's Sin in the Matter of Uriah.
"And David said unto Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord.' And Nathan said unto David, 'The lord also hath put away thy sin; then shalt not die.'" The sin here referred to is that of David in the matter of Uriah. A strange and sad event--taken in all its circumstances and connections, it is without a parallel. But the circumstance most to be lamented, is that mentioned by the prophet, in the close of his message--"By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme." …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important SubjectsAsa
BY REV. ALFRED ROWLAND, D.D., LL.B. 1 KINGS xv. 8-24; 2 CHRON. xiv-xvi. Asa was the third king who reigned over the separated kingdoms of Judah. His father was Ahijah, of whom it is sternly said, "He walked in all the sins of his father, Rehoboam, which he had done before him." A worse bringing-up than Asa's could scarcely be imagined. As a child, and as a lad, he was grievously tempted by his father's example, and by the influence of an idolatrous court, which was crowded by flatterers and …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Whether Christ is the Head of the Church?
Objection 1: It would seem that it does not belong to Christ as man to be Head of the Church. For the head imparts sense and motion to the members. Now spiritual sense and motion which are by grace, are not imparted to us by the Man Christ, because, as Augustine says (De Trin. i, 12; xv, 24), "not even Christ, as man, but only as God, bestows the Holy Ghost." Therefore it does not belong to Him as man to be Head of the Church. Objection 2: Further, it is not fitting for the head to have a head. But …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether it is Proper to Christ to be Head of the Church?
Objection 1: It seems that it is not proper to Christ to be Head of the Church. For it is written (1 Kings 15:17): "When thou wast a little one in thy own eyes, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel?" Now there is but one Church in the New and the Old Testament. Therefore it seems that with equal reason any other man than Christ might be head of the Church. Objection 2: Further, Christ is called Head of the Church from His bestowing grace on the Church's members. But it belongs to others …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Obedience is the Greatest of the virtues?
Objection 1: It seems that obedience is the greatest of the virtues. For it is written (1 Kings 15:22): "Obedience is better than sacrifices." Now the offering of sacrifices belongs to religion, which is the greatest of all moral virtues, as shown above ([3173]Q[81], A[6]). Therefore obedience is the greatest of all virtues. Objection 2: Further, Gregory says (Moral. xxxv) that "obedience is the only virtue that ingrafts virtues in the soul and protects them when ingrafted." Now the cause is greater …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Christ Died Out of Obedience?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ did not die out of obedience. For obedience is referred to a command. But we do not read that Christ was commanded to suffer. Therefore He did not suffer out of obedience. Objection 2: Further, a man is said to do from obedience what he does from necessity of precept. But Christ did not suffer necessarily, but voluntarily. Therefore He did not suffer out of obedience. Objection 3: Further, charity is a more excellent virtue than obedience. But we read that Christ …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Disobedience is the Most Grievous of Sins?
Objection 1: It seems that disobedience is the most grievous of sins. For it is written (1 Kings 15:23): "It is like the sin of witchcraft to rebel, and like the crime of idolatry to refuse to obey." But idolatry is the most grievous of sins, as stated above ([3182]Q[94], A[3]). Therefore disobedience is the most grievous of sins. Objection 2: Further, the sin against the Holy Ghost is one that removes the obstacles of sin, as stated above ([3183]Q[14], A[2]). Now disobedience makes a man contemn …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Predestination Can be Furthered by the Prayers of the Saints?
Objection 1: It seems that predestination cannot be furthered by the prayers of the saints. For nothing eternal can be preceded by anything temporal; and in consequence nothing temporal can help towards making something else eternal. But predestination is eternal. Therefore, since the prayers of the saints are temporal, they cannot so help as to cause anyone to become predestined. Predestination therefore is not furthered by the prayers of the saints. Objection 2: Further, as there is no need of …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether it is Lawful for Clerics to Kill Evil-Doers?
Objection 1: It would seem lawful for clerics to kill evil-doers. For clerics especially should fulfil the precept of the Apostle (1 Cor. 4:16): "Be ye followers of me as I also am of Christ," whereby we are called upon to imitate God and His saints. Now the very God whom we worship puts evildoers to death, according to Ps. 135:10, "Who smote Egypt with their firstborn." Again Moses made the Levites slay twenty-three thousand men on account of the worship of the calf (Ex. 32), the priest Phinees …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether it is Becoming to Pray?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is unbecoming to pray. Prayer seems to be necessary in order that we may make our needs known to the person to whom we pray. But according to Mat. 6:32, "Your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things." Therefore it is not becoming to pray to God. Objection 2: Further, by prayer we bend the mind of the person to whom we pray, so that he may do what is asked of him. But God's mind is unchangeable and inflexible, according to 1 Kings 15:29, "But the Triumpher …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Asa's Reformation, and Consequent Peace and victory
'And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God; 3. For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: 4. And commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. 5. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. 6. And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Whether Vengeance Should be Taken on those who have Sinned Involuntarily?
Objection 1: It seems that vengeance should be taken on those who have sinned involuntarily. For the will of one man does not follow from the will of another. Yet one man is punished for another, according to Ex. 20:5, "I am . . . God . . . jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation." Thus for the sin of Cham, his son Chanaan was curse (Gn. 9:25) and for the sin of Giezi, his descendants were struck with leprosy (4 Kings 5). Again the blood …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
1. The knowledge of God the Creator of no avail without faith in Christ the Redeemer. First reason. Second reason strengthened by the testimony of an Apostle. Conclusion. This doctrine entertained by the children of God in all ages from the beginning of the world. Error of throwing open heaven to the heathen, who know nothing of Christ. The pretexts for this refuted by passages of Scripture. 2. God never was propitious to the ancient Israelites without Christ the Mediator. First reason founded on …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Question Lxxxiii of Prayer
I. Is Prayer an Act of the Appetitive Powers? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer based on Friendship II. Is it Fitting to Pray? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer as a True Cause S. Augustine, On the Sermon on the Mount, II. iii. 14 " On the Gift of Perseverance, vii. 15 III. Is Prayer an Act of the Virtue of Religion? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Humility of Prayer S. Augustine, On Psalm cii. 10 " Of the Gift of Perseverance, xvi. 39 IV. Ought We to Pray to God Alone? S. Augustine, Sermon, cxxvii. 2 V. …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 15:12 NIV1 Kings 15:12 NLT1 Kings 15:12 ESV1 Kings 15:12 NASB1 Kings 15:12 KJV
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