King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 16:4 Mean?

2 Chronicles 16:4 in the King James Version says “And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote I... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. his: Heb. which were his

2 Chronicles 16:4 · KJV


Context

2

Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, Damascus: Heb. Darmesek

3

There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.

4

And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. his: Heb. which were his

5

And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.

6

Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.

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 · 28 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֨ע1 of 28

hearkened

H8085

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

בֶּן2 of 28
H0
הֲדַ֜ד3 of 28

And Benhadad

H1130

ben-hadad, the name of several syrian kings, possibly a royal title

אֶל4 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ5 of 28

unto king

H4428

a king

אָסָ֗א6 of 28

Asa

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

וַ֠יִּשְׁלַח7 of 28

and sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶת8 of 28
H853

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

שָׂרֵ֨י9 of 28

the captains

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַֽחֲיָלִ֤ים10 of 28

of his armies

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

אֲשֶׁר11 of 28
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לוֹ֙12 of 28
H0
אֶל13 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עָרֵ֥י14 of 28

against the cities

H5892

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל15 of 28

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וַיַּכּוּ֙16 of 28

and they smote

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת17 of 28
H853

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

עִיּ֣וֹן18 of 28

Ijon

H5859

ijon, a place in palestine

וְאֶת19 of 28
H853

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

דָּ֔ן20 of 28

and Dan

H1835

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

וְאֵ֖ת21 of 28
H853

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

אָבֵ֣ל22 of 28
H0
מָ֑יִם23 of 28

and Abelmaim

H66

abel-majim, a place in palestine

וְאֵ֥ת24 of 28
H853

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

כָּֽל25 of 28
H3605

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

מִסְכְּנ֖וֹת26 of 28

and all the store

H4543

a magazine

עָרֵ֥י27 of 28

against the cities

H5892

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

נַפְתָּלִֽי׃28 of 28

of Naphtali

H5321

naphtali, a son of jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory


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 16:4 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 16:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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