King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 15:10 Mean?

2 Chronicles 15:10 in the King James Version says “So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.”

2 Chronicles 15:10 · KJV

Context

8

And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD. abominable: Heb. abominations

9

And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

10

So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.

11

And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep. the same: Heb. in that day

12

And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;

Read 2 Chronicles 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing National spiritual renewal through decisive reform. 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 9 words
וַיִּקָּֽבְצ֥וּ1 of 9

“So they gathered themselves together”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם2 of 9

“at Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ3 of 9

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַשְּׁלִשִׁ֑י4 of 9

“in the third”

H7992

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

לִשְׁנַ֥ת5 of 9

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

חֲמֵשׁ6 of 9

“in the fifteenth”

H2568

five

עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה7 of 9
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

לְמַלְכ֥וּת8 of 9

“of the reign”

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion

אָסָֽא׃9 of 9

“of Asa”

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

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 15:10 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 15:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Esther 8:9

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 15 →

Test Your Knowledge

2 Chronicles 15 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Chronicles Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Chronicles 15 with CommentaryAll 2 Chronicles ChaptersComplete 2 Chronicles QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes