In the twentieth year of Jeroboam's reign over Israel, Asa became king of Judah, In the twentieth yearThis phrase sets a specific historical context, marking a point in the timeline of the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah. The "twentieth year" refers to the reign of Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division. This chronological marker is significant as it helps to synchronize the events in the northern and southern kingdoms, providing a framework for understanding the political and spiritual climate of the time. The use of specific years underscores the Bible's historical reliability and the importance of God's timing in the unfolding of His divine plan. of Jeroboam’s reign over Israel
Jeroboam was the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the united monarchy under Solomon split. His reign is marked by significant religious and political changes, including the establishment of alternative worship centers in Bethel and Dan to prevent the people from going to Jerusalem. This act of setting up golden calves led Israel into idolatry, which had long-lasting spiritual consequences. The mention of Jeroboam here serves as a reminder of the spiritual decline in Israel and sets the stage for contrasting the reign of Asa in Judah, who sought to bring reform and return to the worship of Yahweh. Asa became king of Judah
Asa's ascension to the throne of Judah marks a significant shift in the spiritual direction of the southern kingdom. Asa is noted for his commitment to the Lord and his efforts to rid Judah of idolatry, as detailed in the subsequent verses. His reign is characterized by religious reforms and a return to the worship of the one true God. Asa's kingship is a beacon of hope and a call to faithfulness amidst the prevailing idolatry in the neighboring kingdom of Israel. His example serves as an inspiration for believers to pursue righteousness and uphold God's commandments, even when surrounded by a culture that has turned away from God. king of Judah
The title "king of Judah" signifies Asa's role as the leader of the southern kingdom, which remained loyal to the Davidic line. Judah, unlike Israel, maintained Jerusalem as its capital and the temple as the center of worship. This distinction is crucial in understanding the biblical narrative, as Judah's kings are often evaluated based on their adherence to the covenant with God and their efforts to maintain the purity of worship. Asa's reign as king of Judah is a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant through which He would ultimately fulfill His promises, including the coming of the Messiah through the line of David. 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, aligning his reign with the worship of Yahweh. 2. JeroboamThe first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. His reign is marked by idolatry and leading Israel away from the worship of Yahweh. 3. JudahThe southern kingdom of the divided Israelite monarchy, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. It remained more faithful to the Davidic line and the worship of Yahweh compared to the northern kingdom. 4. IsraelThe northern kingdom formed after the division of the united monarchy. It consisted of ten tribes and was often led away from the worship of Yahweh by its kings. 5. Reign of AsaAsa's reign is significant for his commitment to religious reforms, including the removal of idols and the restoration of the worship of Yahweh. Teaching Points Commitment to Godly LeadershipAsa's reign exemplifies the importance of godly leadership in guiding a nation towards righteousness. Leaders today can learn from Asa's initial commitment to reform and align their leadership with biblical principles. The Danger of ComplacencyAsa's later years show the danger of becoming complacent in faith. Believers must remain vigilant and continually seek God's guidance, avoiding the pitfalls of self-reliance. The Impact of IdolatryAsa's efforts to remove idols from Judah highlight the destructive nature of idolatry. Christians are called to examine their lives for modern-day idols and remove anything that takes precedence over God. The Importance of Perseverance in FaithAsa's account encourages perseverance in faith, reminding believers that initial zeal must be maintained throughout one's life. Consistent devotion to God is crucial for spiritual growth and stability. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Asa's commitment to religious reform challenge us to evaluate our own spiritual practices and priorities? 2. In what ways can modern-day leaders, both in the church and in society, learn from Asa's example of godly leadership? 3. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own strength rather than seeking God's guidance. How can Asa's account encourage you to trust in God more fully? 4. What are some "idols" in contemporary life that can distract us from our relationship with God, and how can we actively work to remove them? 5. How does the account of Asa's reign in 2 Chronicles 14-16 deepen our understanding of his character and the importance of perseverance in faith? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 14-16These chapters provide a more detailed account of Asa's reign, including his religious reforms and military campaigns. They highlight Asa's reliance on God and his eventual lapse in faith. 1 Kings 12This chapter describes the division of the united monarchy into Israel and Judah, setting the stage for the reigns of Jeroboam and Asa. Deuteronomy 12This passage outlines the laws concerning worship and the centralization of worship in the place God chooses, which Asa sought to uphold in Judah. 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 Asa, Jeroboam, Jerobo'am, Judah, Reign, Reigned, TwentiethDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 15:1-31 5366 king 1 Kings 15:9-10 5697 grandparents
7240 Jerusalem, history 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 15:9 NIV1 Kings 15:9 NLT1 Kings 15:9 ESV1 Kings 15:9 NASB1 Kings 15:9 KJV
1 Kings 15:9 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
