Biography of Asa

“The eyes of the Lord constantly search the earth, seeking to strengthen those whose hearts are wholly committed to Him.” – 2 Chro 16:9a

I’ve always had a deep appreciation for biographies. They serve as a practical way to apply the tested and proven truths found in the Word of God. Let’s take a closer look at a notable Bible character this morning.

Asa holds a prominent place in the Bible, known for his reign as king over the Kingdom of Judah. His story is primarily documented in the Old Testament books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Following the passing of his father, King Abijah, Asa ascended to the throne of Judah. The Bible shows Asa as a righteous and faithful king, one who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Chro 14:2). His reign commenced with a strong emphasis on religious reform, as he took decisive action to remove foreign idols and altars from the land, encouraging the people to worship the God of Israel.

“For he removed the altars of the foreign gods and the high places and broke down the pillars and cut down the Asherim.” – 2 Chro 14:3

During his rule, Asa faced various military challenges, including a formidable conflict against the Ethiopians, led by Zerah the Cushite. Asa’s unwavering trust in God prompted him to pray for divine assistance, leading Judah to a resounding victory.

“And Asa cried to the Lord his God, ‘O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. 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; let not man prevail against you.‘” – 2 Chro 14:11

Later in his reign, Asa made a consequential decision to form an alliance with Ben-hadad, the king of Syria, in opposition to the northern kingdom of Israel, ruled by Baasha. This alliance weakened Baasha’s authority (1 Kings 15:1). In the 36th year of his rule, Prophet Hanani confronted King Asa, rebuking him for placing trust in Syria rather than in God. This moment marked a pivotal turning point in his life.

“At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, ‘Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you.’” – 2 Chro 16:7-9

Towards the end of his life, Asa endured a severe foot ailment. Unfortunately, he did not turn to the Lord for help but instead solely relied on physicians. Asa passed away after a reign lasting 41 years. Notably, Asa did not seek God’s help and chose to use his own wisdom, even going so far as to bribe Ben-Hadad, the King of Aram, for assistance. While Ben-Hadad did aid Asa, God was displeased that he had placed his trust in man rather than the Lord (Jer 17:5). God’s correction and rebuke came through His prophet Hanani. This serves as a reminder of God’s love for His children and His willingness to correct us when we stray from the path of righteousness. Our response to God’s correction should always be repentance and a return to the right path, guided by God’s Word (2 Tim 3:16).

“In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but sought help from physicians.” – 2 Chro 16:12