King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 14:1 Mean?

2 Chronicles 14:1 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Chronicles 14:1 · KJV


Context

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.

2

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

3

For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: images: Heb. statues


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Seeking God wholeheartedly brings peace and blessing. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֨ב1 of 17

slept

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

אֲבִיָּ֜ה2 of 17

So Abijah

H29

abijah, the name of several israelite men and two israelitesses

עִם3 of 17
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אֲבֹתָ֗יו4 of 17

with his fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיִּקְבְּר֤וּ5 of 17

and they buried

H6912

to inter

אֹתוֹ֙6 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּעִ֣יר7 of 17

him in the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

דָּוִ֔יד8 of 17

of David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ9 of 17

reigned

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

אָסָ֥א10 of 17

and Asa

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

בְנ֖וֹ11 of 17

his son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

תַּחְתָּ֑יו12 of 17
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

בְּיָמָ֛יו13 of 17

in his stead In his days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

שָֽׁקְטָ֥ה14 of 17

was quiet

H8252

to repose (usually figurative)

הָאָ֖רֶץ15 of 17

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

עֶ֥שֶׂר16 of 17

ten

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

שָׁנִֽים׃17 of 17

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 14:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 14:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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