Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Chronicles 16:1

1 IN the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa , Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come into Asa king of Judah .

Or, of the Kingdom of Asa, i. e. of the Kingdom of Judah, which was now Asa's Kingdom; or from the time of the division of the two Kingdoms. Rehoboam reigned 17 years, ch. 12. 13. Abijah 3 years, ch. 13. 2. Asa had now reigned 15 years, ch. 15. 10. all which put together make up the 35 years mentioned ch. 15. 19. And in the next year Baasha wars against him; and the ground of War was the defection of many of his Subjects to Asa, ch. 15. 9. whom Asa endeavours to engage together with his own Subjects by an Oath and a Covenant to be true and faithful to God and consequently to himself, which was done in his 15th. year, ch. 15. 9, 10. and therefore in his 16th. year, called here the 36th. year of h[illegible: 1+ letters]s Kingdom he commenceth an open War against him. If it be objected that the Reign, or Kingdom of Asa is otherwise understood of the time of Asa's personal Reign (as I may call it) ch. 15. 10. The Answer is obvious, that there are many Instances in Scripture[illegible: 1+ letters] (some of which have been formerly given, and others will be given in their proper places,) where the same Word or▪ Phrase is taken differently, and that in the very same Chapter and History. And particularly this variety is elsewhere used both by Sacred and Profane Writers, in the Computation of the years of Princes, which are sometimes reckoned from the beginning of their Reign, and sometimes from other remarkable Times and Occurrences. Thus Nebuchadnezzars years are sometimes computed from the beginning of his Reign, as 2 King. 25. 8. Ier. 52. 12, 29, 30. and sometimes from his compleat Conquest of Syria and Egypt, &c. As that Passage, Dan. 2. 1. In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar, is by the general stream of Interpreters understood. Thus Ahaziahs years, which doubtless were usually computed from the time of his Birth, are computed from another Head, ch. 22. 2. where see the Notes. And the like differences are observed in computing the years of some of the Syrian Monarchs and Roman Emperours, and particularly of Augustus, the years of whose Reign are variously accounted by the Roman Historians, sometimes from his first Consulship; sometimes from the time of the Triumvirate; and sometimes from that Famous Victory at Actium, where he utterly overthrew his Competitour, and made himself sole and unquestionable Emperour. And therefore it is not strange if it be so here. And that it must necessarily be thus understood, appears from hence, that it cannot be the 36th. year of the Reign of Asa in his own▪ person, because Baasha began to reign in Asa's third year, 1 King. 15. 28. and reigned onely 24 years, and consequently died in Asa's 26th. or 27th. year, as it is said he did, 1 King. 15. 8.

That he might keep his subjects from revolting to Asa, as he perceived they began to do, ch. 15. 9. and keep Asa's Subjects from coming into his Dominions to seduce his [illegible: 1+ letters]eople from their Obedience to him.

Marginal references: 1 Kin. 15. 17.