Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Chronicles 14

1 SO Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David, and Asa his son reigned in his stead: in his days the land was quiet ten years .

i. e. There was no open War, either by Baasha or others; onely there were secret Grudges and private Hostilities between his and Baasha's Subjects, 1 King. 15. 16.

Marginal references: 1 Kin, 15. 8▪ &c.

2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.

Of this and the next verse see on 1 King. 15. 11, 12.

4 And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers , and to do the law and the commandment .

By his Royal Edicts he required them to worship God, and him onely.

i. e. To practise all which the Laws of Moses required of them.

7 Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us ▪ because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side: so they built and prospered.

i. e. In out Power, as that Phrase is oft used. See on Gen. 13. 9.

8 And Asa had an army of men , that bare targets and spears, out of Judah, three hundred thousand, and out of Benjamin, that bare sh[illegible: 1+ letters]elds and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.

Which, as it seems, he had now gathered together upon the Information of Zerahs Design against him.

9 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots, and came unto Maresha .

Or, the Arabian▪ as the Hebrew word Cush is commonly used, as hath been noted before: These being much nearer to Asa than the Ethiopians, who also could not have come to Asa but thorough Egypt, which probably the King of Egypt would not permit him to do.

A City upon and within the Borders of Judah, Ios. 15. 44.

Marginal references: Ch. 16. 3.

11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on thee, and in thy Name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God, let not man prevail against thee.

i. e. The[illegible: 1+ letters]e is no difference, or no difficulty, with thee.

By thy [illegible: 1 word], in confidence of thy Assistance, and for the maintenance of thy Honour, and Service, and People.

Marginal references: Heb. it is not for [illegible: 1 word] to help amongst many, him that hath no strength.; 1 Sam. 14. 6.; Or, mortal man.

13 And Asa and the people that were with him, pursued them unto Gerar : and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves, for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host, and they carried away very much spoil.

A City of the Philistins, who probably were Confederat[illegible: 1+ letters] with them in this Design.

Marginal references: Heb. broken.

14 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar , for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities, for there was exceeding much spoil in them.

Partly because they had joyned with Zerah in this War; and partly because the Ethiopians had sheltred a great part of the Remains of the Army in them.

Marginal references: Gen. 35. 5. Chap. 17. 10.

15 They smote also the tents of cattel , and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.

i. e. The dwellers in Tents, which were either a Part of Zerahs Company, or joyned with them, or had come along with them to furnish that Great Host with necessary Provisions; which their Custom of dwelling in Tents made them more capable of doing.