2 Chronicles 14:2 kjv
And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God:
2 Chronicles 14:2 nkjv
Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God,
2 Chronicles 14:2 niv
Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.
2 Chronicles 14:2 esv
And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.
2 Chronicles 14:2 nlt
Asa did what was pleasing and good in the sight of the LORD his God.
2 Chronicles 14 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 6:18 | "And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD..." | Command for Israel to do what is good/right. |
| Deut 12:28 | "...observe and obey all these words that I command you... do what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God." | Emphasizes obedience to commands. |
| 1 Kgs 3:6 | "...You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before You in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart..." | David walked right before the Lord. |
| 1 Kgs 11:33 | "...he has not walked in My ways, doing what is right in My sight..." | Solomon did not fully do right. |
| 1 Kgs 14:8 | "...but you have not been as My servant David, who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, doing only that which was right in My eyes." | David as the standard of righteousness. |
| 2 Kgs 18:3 | "And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done." | Hezekiah also did what was right. |
| 2 Kgs 22:2 | "And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father..." | Josiah's righteousness. |
| Jer 22:15 | "Did not your father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him." | Righteous rule leads to prosperity. |
| Prov 12:2 | "A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but a man of evil devices he condemns." | Good actions earn God's favor. |
| Prov 16:7 | "When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies be at peace with him." | Obedience brings peace and favor. |
| Ps 34:15 | "The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and His ears toward their cry." | God sees and hears the righteous. |
| Ps 51:10 | "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." | Emphasizes inner spiritual rectitude. |
| Josh 1:7-8 | "Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law... for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." | Success linked to adherence to God's law. |
| Matt 5:8 | "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." | Importance of inner purity to God. |
| Matt 7:21 | "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven." | Doing God's will is essential. |
| Eph 2:10 | "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works..." | Believers are created for good works. |
| Col 3:23-24 | "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men... you are serving the Lord Christ." | Actions should be directed to the Lord. |
| Heb 11:6 | "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him." | Faith pleases God and receives reward. |
| Jas 2:18 | "But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." | Faith demonstrated through good deeds. |
| Rom 12:2 | "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." | Discern and do God's will. |
2 Chronicles 14 verses
2 Chronicles 14 2 Meaning
2 Chronicles 14:2 declares that King Asa's reign commenced with actions and character that were in complete harmony with God's will. He lived and ruled in a manner that met divine approval, establishing a standard of righteousness and obedience, particularly in contrast to many previous rulers of Judah and Israel. This immediate assessment sets the stage for the reforms and blessings that characterize the early part of his reign.
2 Chronicles 14 2 Context
The Book of 2 Chronicles details the history of the kings of Judah from Solomon to the Babylonian exile, focusing particularly on the Davidic line, the temple, and the importance of Judah’s covenant fidelity to Yahweh. The Chronicler emphasizes that the king's righteousness or wickedness directly impacts the nation's fortunes.
Chapter 14 begins Asa’s long reign, following the short and morally ambiguous rule of his father, Abijah. While Abijah had achieved a military victory, he did not institute comprehensive religious reform. Verse 1 of chapter 14 notes Abijah's death, immediately followed by Asa taking the throne. Therefore, 2 Chronicles 14:2 serves as a pivotal and positive assessment of Asa's character at the beginning of his reign, contrasting him sharply with many of his predecessors. It sets the thematic foundation for the period of peace, prosperity, and religious revival that he initially brought to Judah. The historical and cultural context for Asa's actions included the pervasive influence of polytheistic practices from surrounding nations and even syncretistic tendencies that had seeped into Israelite worship, challenging the exclusive worship of the one true God. Asa’s choice to do what was "good and right" meant actively dismantling these idolatrous practices.
2 Chronicles 14 2 Word analysis
And Asa: Refers to the third king of Judah after the division of the kingdom, son of Abijah and grandson of Rehoboam. His name,
'Asa(אָסָא), possibly means "Healer" or "Physician".did: The Hebrew verb is
‘asah(עָשָׂה), which is highly versatile. Here it implies actively carrying out, performing, or producing. It denotes intentional, purposeful action rather than passive acceptance.what was good: The Hebrew is
haṭôḇ(הַטּוֹב). This refers to something that is morally good, pleasing, beneficial, and in accordance with divine standards. It's not merely about personal preference or human ethics, but that which aligns with God's character and commandments.and right: The Hebrew is
hayašar(הַיָּשָׁר). This word means straight, upright, just, or correct. It implies conformity to a standard, freedom from deviation, and fairness. Paired with "good," it provides a comprehensive description of actions that are both morally pure and properly aligned with divine law and truth.in the eyes of: The Hebrew phrase is
bə‘êynê(בְּעֵינֵי), literally "in the eyes of." This is an anthropomorphic expression that signifies perception, approval, and judgment from a divine perspective. It implies that God is the ultimate beholder and evaluator of actions.the LORD: This is
YHWH(יהוה), the covenant name of God, indicating His specific relationship and interaction with Israel, often emphasizing His redemptive and faithful character. It stands for the one true God, distinct from all other deities.his God: The Hebrew is
'ĕlōhîm(אֱלֹהִים), meaning God, here explicitly referring toYHWHas Asa's personal and sovereign deity. This highlights Asa's personal allegiance and dedication to the God of Israel."did what was good and right": This phrase functions as a concise moral and spiritual evaluation found repeatedly in the Books of Kings and Chronicles. It indicates that the king's actions aligned with God's will, particularly in matters of religious worship and justice. For Asa, this implied actively reversing the idolatrous practices of his predecessors and upholding the Mosaic covenant.
"in the eyes of the LORD his God": This emphasizes that the ultimate judge of Asa's actions was God Himself, not human opinion, political expediency, or popular consensus. Asa's standard was divine, and his actions were ultimately for God's approval. This speaks to a profound personal commitment to Yahweh, distinguishing him from those who merely performed outward religious rituals without genuine internal devotion.
2 Chronicles 14 2 Bonus section
The Chronicler often uses formulaic statements like this one ("did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD") to introduce a king's reign, immediately signaling the divine judgment on their rule. Asa's opening assessment stands in stark contrast to his eventual spiritual failings later in his life (recorded in 2 Chron 16), which demonstrate that even a king who starts well can stray. This initial commendation focuses solely on his early faithfulness, setting the stage for Judah's period of spiritual resurgence and the blessings it received as a result of a king who feared God. It serves as a strong reminder that consistent and faithful obedience to God, regardless of the leader's position, is foundational for true peace and prosperity.
2 Chronicles 14 2 Commentary
2 Chronicles 14:2 succinctly opens Asa’s narrative, immediately distinguishing his reign by declaring that his actions found favor in the sight of the LORD. This declaration is highly significant in the Chronicler's theology, as the subsequent prosperity, peace, and military successes of Asa’s early reign are directly attributed to this foundational righteousness. "What was good and right" points to a comprehensive adherence to God’s Law and character, manifesting not merely as personal piety but as public and national religious reform (detailed in verses 3-5). Unlike many kings of both Israel and Judah who were condemned for following "the ways of Jeroboam" or indulging in pagan worship, Asa is presented as a king who pleased God through his obedience, particularly in rooting out idolatry and encouraging proper worship. This verse provides the spiritual explanation for Judah's subsequent well-being under Asa, underscoring the theological principle that divine blessing flows from human faithfulness.