King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 14:6 Mean?

2 Chronicles 14:6 in the King James Version says “And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.”

2 Chronicles 14:6 · KJV

Context

4

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

5

Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. images: Heb. sun images

6

And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.

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.

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 shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.

Read 2 Chronicles 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.

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 · 16 words
וַיִּ֛בֶן1 of 16

“And he built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

עָרֵ֥י2 of 16

“cities”

H5892

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

מְצוּרָ֖ה3 of 16

“fenced”

H4694

a hemming in, i.e., (objectively) a mound (of siege), or (subjectively) a rampart (of protection), (abstractly) fortification

בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה4 of 16

“in Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

כִּֽי5 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

שָׁקְטָ֣ה6 of 16

“had rest”

H8252

to repose (usually figurative)

הָאָ֗רֶץ7 of 16

“for the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְאֵין8 of 16
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

עִמּ֤וֹ9 of 16
H5973

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

מִלְחָמָה֙10 of 16

“and he had no war”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

בַּשָּׁנִ֣ים11 of 16

“in those years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הָאֵ֔לֶּה12 of 16
H428

these or those

כִּֽי13 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הֵנִ֥יחַ14 of 16

“had given him rest”

H5117

to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l

יְהוָ֖ה15 of 16

“because the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לֽוֹ׃16 of 16
H0

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 14:6 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 14:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 15:151 Chronicles 22:9Job 34:292 Chronicles 11:5-12Judges 3:11Judges 5:31

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