King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 16:13 Mean?

2 Chronicles 16:13 in the King James Version says “And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.”

2 Chronicles 16:13 · KJV

Context

11

And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

12

And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.

13

And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.

14

And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him. had made: Heb. had digged

Read 2 Chronicles 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Human alliances replacing trust in God. 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 · 9 words
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֥ב1 of 9

“slept”

H7901

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

אָסָ֖א2 of 9

“And Asa”

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

עִם3 of 9
H5973

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

אֲבֹתָ֑יו4 of 9

“with his fathers”

H1

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

וַיָּ֕מָת5 of 9

“and died”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בִּשְׁנַ֛ת6 of 9

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

אַרְבָּעִ֥ים7 of 9

“and fortieth”

H705

forty

וְאַחַ֖ת8 of 9

“in the one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לְמָלְכֽוֹ׃9 of 9

“of his reign”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

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 16:13 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 16:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 15:24

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