Asa, King of Judah

Asa, the third king of the Kingdom of Judah, reigned for forty-one years, from approximately 911 to 870 BC. He was the son of Abijah and the grandson of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon. Asa is noted for his religious reforms and efforts to rid Judah of idolatry, aligning his reign with the worship of Yahweh. His reign is chronicled in 1 Kings 15:9-24 and 2 Chronicles 14-16.

Asa's commitment to God is evident in his early years as king. He removed foreign altars and high places, shattered sacred pillars, and cut down Asherah poles. Asa commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandments (2 Chronicles 14:3-4). His reforms brought peace and prosperity to Judah, and he fortified cities to strengthen the kingdom against potential threats.

However, Asa's reliance on God wavered in his later years. When Baasha, king of Israel, fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering Judah, Asa sought help from Ben-hadad, king of Aram, rather than relying on the LORD (1 Kings 15:17-19). This decision was rebuked by the prophet Hanani, who reminded Asa of his earlier reliance on God against the Cushites and Libyans (2 Chronicles 16:7-9). Asa's response was one of anger, and he imprisoned Hanani. In his thirty-ninth year, Asa was afflicted with a severe disease in his feet, yet he did not seek the LORD but relied on physicians (2 Chronicles 16:12).

Death of Asa

Asa's death is recorded in 1 Kings 15:24 and 2 Chronicles 16:13-14. He died in the forty-first year of his reign and was buried in the city of David, his forefather. Asa was laid to rest in a tomb he had prepared for himself, and his people honored him with a great fire in his honor, a customary practice for kings of Judah.

Jehoshaphat, King of Judah

Jehoshaphat, the son of Asa, succeeded him as king. His reign is noted for continuing the religious reforms initiated by his father and further strengthening the kingdom of Judah. Jehoshaphat reigned for twenty-five years, from approximately 870 to 845 BC. His reign is detailed in 1 Kings 22:41-50 and 2 Chronicles 17-20.

Jehoshaphat walked in the ways of his father Asa and did not turn aside from them, doing what was right in the eyes of the LORD (1 Kings 22:43). He removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah and sent officials, Levites, and priests throughout the land to teach the people the Book of the Law of the LORD (2 Chronicles 17:6-9). His commitment to God brought peace and prosperity to Judah, and he fortified the kingdom against potential threats.

Jehoshaphat's reign was marked by alliances, notably with Ahab, king of Israel, through marriage. This alliance led to a military campaign against Ramoth-gilead, where Ahab was killed. Jehoshaphat narrowly escaped with his life, and upon his return to Jerusalem, he was rebuked by the prophet Jehu for helping the wicked and loving those who hate the LORD (2 Chronicles 19:1-3).

Despite this misstep, Jehoshaphat's reign is remembered for his judicial reforms and his reliance on God during a coalition attack by the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites. In response to this threat, Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast and sought the LORD in prayer, leading to a miraculous victory without the need for battle (2 Chronicles 20:1-30).

Jehoshaphat's reign exemplifies a commitment to God, continuing the legacy of his father Asa while learning from past mistakes. His leadership brought stability and spiritual renewal to Judah, setting a standard for future kings.