Asa, the third king of the Kingdom of Judah, is a prominent biblical figure known for his devout heart and commitment to the ways of the Lord. His reign is detailed in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, where he is depicted as a reformer who sought to restore true worship and obedience to God among his people.

Background and Reign

Asa was the son of Abijah and the grandson of Rehoboam, making him a direct descendant of King David. He ascended to the throne of Judah around 911 BC and reigned for 41 years. His rule is marked by a series of religious reforms and efforts to rid the kingdom of idolatry.

Religious Reforms

One of Asa's first acts as king was to remove the pagan altars and high places, shatter the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandments. The Berean Standard Bible records, "He removed the pagan altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and chopped down the Asherah poles" (2 Chronicles 14:3).

Asa's devotion to God was further demonstrated by his removal of Maacah, his grandmother, from her position as queen mother because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa cut down her pole, crushed it, and burned it in the Kidron Valley (1 Kings 15:13).

Covenant Renewal

In the fifteenth year of his reign, Asa gathered all of Judah and Benjamin, along with those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, to renew their covenant with the Lord. They sacrificed seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep from the plunder they had brought back from battle. The people entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul (2 Chronicles 15:10-12).

Reliance on God

Asa's reliance on God is exemplified in his response to the threat posed by Zerah the Cushite, who marched against Judah with a vast army. Asa called upon the Lord, saying, "O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let a mere mortal prevail against You" (2 Chronicles 14:11). The Lord struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah, granting them a decisive victory.

Later Years and Challenges

Despite his early devotion, Asa's later years were marked by a reliance on human alliances rather than divine intervention. When faced with the threat from Baasha, king of Israel, Asa sought the help of Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, rather than relying on the Lord. This decision was rebuked by the prophet Hanani, who reminded Asa of his earlier reliance on God and the victories that followed (2 Chronicles 16:7-9).

In his thirty-ninth year, Asa was afflicted with a severe disease in his feet. Yet, even in his illness, he did not seek help from the Lord but only from the physicians (2 Chronicles 16:12).

Legacy

Asa's reign is remembered for his initial fervor and commitment to purging idolatry from Judah. His heart devotion to God set a standard for future kings, though his later years serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of relying on human strength over divine guidance. Asa was laid to rest with his fathers in the city of David, and his son Jehoshaphat succeeded him as king.