King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 15:2 Mean?

2 Chronicles 15:2 in the King James Version says “And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. to meet: Heb. before Asa

2 Chronicles 15:2 · KJV


Context

1

And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:

2

And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. to meet: Heb. before Asa

3

Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.

4

But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Azariah's prophetic word to King Asa 'The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you' establishes a crucial conditional principle. God's covenant presence ('the LORD is with you') depends on faithful response ('while ye be with him'). This isn't works-salvation but covenant stipulation - those who truly know God seek Him and experience His presence. Conversely, forsaking God results in divine abandonment. This sobering warning balances promises of God's faithfulness with calls to human responsibility. In Christ, believers have security because Christ never forsakes the Father, and we're united to Him.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Delivered during Asa's reforms (c. 895 BCE) after victory over Ethiopia, this prophecy encouraged continued faithfulness while warning against complacency. Asa's later failure to seek God (16:12) proved the warning's relevance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you 'be with' God - what practices and attitudes demonstrate you're walking with Him?
  2. Where might you be tempted to forsake God through neglect or disobedience, requiring fresh commitment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיֵּצֵא֮1 of 22

And he went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לִפְנֵ֣י2 of 22

to meet

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אָסָ֖א3 of 22

Asa

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר4 of 22

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֔וֹ5 of 22
H0
שְׁמָע֕וּנִי6 of 22

unto him Hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אָסָ֖א7 of 22

Asa

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

וְכָל8 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְהוּדָ֣ה9 of 22

and all Judah

H3063

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

וּבִנְיָמִ֑ן10 of 22

and Benjamin

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

יְהוָ֤ה11 of 22

The LORD

H3068

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

עִמָּכֶם֙12 of 22
H5973

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

בִּֽהְיוֹתְכֶ֣ם13 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עִמּ֔וֹ14 of 22
H5973

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

וְאִֽם15 of 22
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תִּדְרְשֻׁ֙הוּ֙16 of 22

is with you while ye be with him and if ye seek

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

יִמָּצֵ֣א17 of 22

him he will be found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

לָכֶ֔ם18 of 22
H0
וְאִם19 of 22
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יַֽעֲזֹ֥ב20 of 22

him he will forsake

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

יַֽעֲזֹ֥ב21 of 22

him he will forsake

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

אֶתְכֶֽם׃22 of 22
H853

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


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 15:2 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 15:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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