Biblical Context:
Asa was the third king of the Kingdom of Judah and reigned for 41 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, as well as for his reliance on God during the early part of his reign. His account is primarily recorded in 1 Kings 15:9-24 and 2 Chronicles 14-16.

Reign and Religious Reforms:
Asa's reign is marked by a return to the worship of Yahweh and a significant departure from the idolatrous practices that had crept into Judah. He removed the male shrine prostitutes from the land and deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made an obscene image of Asherah (1 Kings 15:12-13). Asa also repaired the altar of the LORD and gathered the people to renew their covenant with God (2 Chronicles 15:8-15).

Military Challenges and Reliance on God:
During his reign, Asa faced military threats, notably from Zerah the Cushite, who came against Judah with a vast army. Asa called upon the LORD, and God delivered Judah from the Cushites (2 Chronicles 14:9-15). However, later in his reign, Asa relied on a political alliance with Ben-Hadad of Aram rather than seeking the LORD's help when Baasha, king of Israel, fortified Ramah against Judah (2 Chronicles 16:1-6).

Illness and Spiritual Decline:
In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa was afflicted with a severe disease in his feet. Despite his earlier faithfulness, Asa did not seek the LORD's help but instead turned to physicians (2 Chronicles 16:12). This decision is often viewed as indicative of a spiritual decline in his later years, contrasting with his earlier reliance on God.

Death and Burial:
Asa died in the forty-first year of his reign. The Berean Standard Bible records, "So in the forty-first year of his reign, Asa died and rested with his fathers" (2 Chronicles 16:13). His burial was conducted with great honor, reflecting the respect he commanded despite his later failings. Asa was laid to rest in the city of David, and they buried him in a tomb he had cut out for himself. They laid him on a bier covered with spices and various blended perfumes, and they made a great fire in his honor (2 Chronicles 16:14).

Legacy:
Asa's legacy is one of initial faithfulness and reform, marred by a later reliance on human alliances and resources rather than on God. His reign is a testament to the importance of consistent faith and reliance on the LORD throughout one's life. Despite his shortcomings, Asa 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).