Asa in Biblical History

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Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
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Who is Asa?
A'SA
(physician) was son and successor of Abijam on the throne of Judah, b. c. 955-914. 1 Kgs 15:8. He reigned forty-one years. Though educated in the principles of a false religion, he showed from the first his decided opposition to idolatry, and even deposed his grandmother, Maachah, because she had made an idol in a grove. The first part of his reign was peaceful, and he improved the opportunity to purify his kingdom from idolatry and to build and fortify several cities; and when Zerah, an Ethiopian king, invaded his territories with an army of a million of men and three hundred chariots, Asa met him at Mareshah with 580,000 men, and defeated him. This battle was one of the most important in Jewish history. 2 Chr 14. At the suggestion of the prophet Azariah, Asa set about the reformation of every abuse in his kingdom, and appointed a solemn festival of thanksgiving to God, at which all the people were assembled, and entered into a formal covenant with God. Baasha, king of Israel, finding his subjects too much disposed to go into Judah and dwell there, commenced fortifying Ramah, a place near the frontiers of both kingdoms, with a view to cut off the passage of emigrants to Jerusalem and other parts of Judah. Asa, though he had so long enjoyed the favor and protection of God, was now tempted to forsake him. Instead of trusting him for deliverance, as he had done in years past, he sent to Ben-hadad, the king of Syria, and prevailed on him, even in violation of a treaty which existed between Ben-hadad and Baasha, to come to the help of Judah against Israel. The Syrian king, won by the presents which Asa had sent him, immediately attacked and destroyed several important cities of Israel. Baasha, finding his kingdom thus invaded, abandoned the fortification of Ramah that he might protect the provinces of the interior from desolation. Asa seized the opportunity to demolish Ramah and take away the stone and timber which were collected there and use them in the building of his own cities. In the mean time, Hanani the prophet was sent to rebuke him for forsaking Jehovah, and to announce his punishment. But Asa was enraged by the faithful message, and caused the bearer of it to be imprisoned. 2 Chr 16:10. In the latter part of his life Asa had a disease of the feet, perhaps the gout, but "he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians." We may, however, accept his sufferings as an extenuating circumstance for his occasional acts of tyranny. He died b. c. 914, in the forty-first year of his reign, and was buried with great pomp. 2 Chr 16:14. 1. A Levite who dwelt in one of the villages of the Netophathites after the Captivity. 1 Chr 9:16.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'asa' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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