Legacy of Asa

Asa, the third king of the Kingdom of Judah, reigned for 41 years, from approximately 911 to 870 BC. He is remembered as a king who sought to follow the ways of the Lord, bringing about significant religious reforms and striving to lead his people back to the worship of Yahweh. Asa's reign is chronicled in 1 Kings 15:9-24 and 2 Chronicles 14-16.

Asa's legacy is marked by his commitment to purging idolatry from Judah. He removed the foreign altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles (2 Chronicles 14:3). Asa commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandments (2 Chronicles 14:4). His reforms extended to deposing his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made an abominable image for Asherah (1 Kings 15:13).

Asa's reign was also characterized by military success, attributed to his reliance on God. When faced with the formidable Ethiopian army led by Zerah, Asa cried out to the LORD for help, and God granted him victory (2 Chronicles 14:9-12). This victory reinforced Asa's faith and commitment to God, leading to a period of peace and prosperity in Judah.

However, Asa's later years were marred by a reliance on human alliances rather than divine intervention. When Baasha, king of Israel, fortified Ramah to blockade Judah, Asa sought assistance from Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, rather than relying on the LORD (2 Chronicles 16:1-3). This decision was rebuked by the prophet Hanani, who reminded Asa of God's past deliverance and criticized his lack of faith (2 Chronicles 16:7-9).

Despite this lapse, Asa's overall legacy is one of devotion to God and reform. He is remembered as a king who "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done" (1 Kings 15:11). His efforts to restore true worship in Judah left a lasting impact on the spiritual life of the nation.

Burial of Asa

The account of Asa's burial is found in 2 Chronicles 16:13-14. Asa died in the forty-first year of his reign, having suffered from a severe disease in his feet during his final years. Despite his illness, Asa did not seek the LORD but relied on physicians (2 Chronicles 16:12). This detail highlights a contrast between his earlier reliance on God and his later dependence on human means.

Asa was buried in the city of David, a testament to his status and the respect he commanded as a king of Judah. He was laid to rest in a tomb that he had prepared for himself, a common practice among the kings of Judah to ensure a dignified burial. The people of Judah honored him with a great fire, a traditional expression of mourning and respect for a deceased king (2 Chronicles 16:14).

Asa's burial in the city of David signifies his inclusion among the legitimate and honored kings of Judah, despite the shortcomings in his later years. His reign is remembered for its initial fervor for religious reform and dedication to the LORD, setting a standard for future kings of Judah.