2 Chronicles 15 15

2 Chronicles 15:15 kjv

And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.

2 Chronicles 15:15 nkjv

And all Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and sought Him with all their soul; and He was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest all around.

2 Chronicles 15:15 niv

All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.

2 Chronicles 15:15 esv

And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest all around.

2 Chronicles 15:15 nlt

All in Judah were happy about this covenant, for they had entered into it with all their heart. They earnestly sought after God, and they found him. And the LORD gave them rest from their enemies on every side.

2 Chronicles 15 verses

2 Chronicles 15 15 Meaning

2 Chronicles 15:15 describes the joyous response of the people of Judah to the solemn oath they took to wholeheartedly seek the Lord, as initiated by King Asa's reforms. Their deep sincerity in this commitment led to a reciprocal act of divine favor: the Lord allowed Himself to be found by them, and as a result, granted them complete peace and security from all their adversaries. It signifies a profound covenant renewal and the resultant divine blessing upon genuine faith and obedience.

2 Chronicles 15 15 Context

This verse stands at the zenith of King Asa’s reforms in Judah, following the powerful prophetic message of Azariah, son of Oded (2 Chr 15:1-7). Azariah's prophecy reminded Asa and Judah that the Lord would be with them only if they were with Him, and that if they sought Him, He would be found. Stirred by this word, Asa purged idolatry from the land, rebuilt the altar of the Lord, and then gathered all Judah and those from Israel who had defected to Judah for a grand assembly. At this gathering, they made a solemn covenant to seek the Lord with all their heart and soul, decreeing death for anyone who would not. This specific verse (2 Chr 15:15) then details the people's genuine response to this covenant and the immediate, blessed outcome from God. Historically, Asa's reign marked a significant spiritual revival after periods of decline, underscoring the chronicler's theological emphasis on obedience and the Davidic covenant.

2 Chronicles 15 15 Word analysis

• All Judah rejoiced:
  • Judah: Represents the southern kingdom, particularly emphasizing the widespread participation in the covenant. The Chronicler highlights unity and comprehensive adherence.
  • rejoiced (Hebrew: śāmaḥ, שָׂמַח): Indicates genuine and profound joy, often associated with spiritual renewal and divine blessing (e.g., in worship or celebration of victory). It was not a coerced obedience but a heartfelt exultation over their renewed commitment to God. This joy points to a spiritual revitalization.
• over the oath:
  • oath (Hebrew: ālāh, אָלָה): A solemn vow or sworn covenant, often invoked with a curse if broken. Here, it refers to the covenant they entered, confirming their loyalty to the Lord, to seek Him with all their heart (2 Chr 15:12-14). Its public nature (2 Chr 15:9) and serious consequence (2 Chr 15:13) underscored the weight of their commitment.
• for they had sworn with all their heart:
  • sworn (Hebrew: šābaʿ, שָׁבַע): To bind oneself by an oath, to commit solemnly.
  • with all their heart (Hebrew: bəḵol lēbāḇām, בְּכָל לְבָבָם): Emphasizes sincere, internal commitment, not just external ritual. This goes beyond mere outward conformity; it denotes a devotion of their inner being, will, and affection. This phrase resonates throughout Deuteronomy (e.g., Deut 6:5) and highlights genuine conversion and desire for God.
• and had sought him wholeheartedly:
  • sought him (Hebrew: biqqešûhû, בִּקְּשֻׁהוּ): Implies an earnest, diligent pursuit of God's presence, will, and favor. It means to require, demand, or desire earnestly.
  • wholeheartedly (Hebrew: bəḵol rāṣōn, בְּכָל רָצוֹן): This translates to "with all their desire/pleasure/will." It amplifies "with all their heart," signifying not just commitment but eagerness, delight, and full approval in their pursuit of God. It's a devotion that springs from glad submission.
• and he was found by them:
  • he was found (Hebrew: nimṣā lāhem, נִמְצָא לָהֶם): Passive voice, emphasizing God's divine agency and responsiveness. This is God's direct reciprocal action to their sincere seeking. It indicates not only His presence but His favor, answers, and blessings. It's the fulfillment of the prophecy in 2 Chronicles 15:4 and 15:2.
• And the LORD gave them rest on every side:
  • the LORD (Hebrew: YHWH): The covenantal name of God, highlighting His faithfulness to His promises.
  • gave them rest (Hebrew: wayyāniaḥ lāhem, וַיַּנַּח לָהֶם): This "rest" (Hebrew: nuaḥ, נוּחַ) is not merely cessation from activity but security, peace, and freedom from war or external oppression. It implies national stability and divine protection from their enemies. This rest is a recurring theme of blessing in Old Testament covenant contexts, often a mark of God's dwelling among His people and fulfilling His promises.
  • on every side (Hebrew: mis̄sābîb, מִסָּבִיב): Indicates comprehensive, complete peace and security from all threats. No enemy from any direction posed a danger.

2 Chronicles 15 15 Bonus section

The "rest" granted by God in this verse is a significant theological concept, often linked to the land of Canaan promised to Israel (Deut 3:20, Josh 21:44), implying fulfillment of divine promises and establishment in peace. This earthly rest foreshadows the greater, ultimate rest found in Christ (Matt 11:28-30) and the eternal Sabbath rest for God's people (Heb 4:9-10). The Chronicler consistently emphasizes this principle: when kings and the people seek the Lord sincerely, they prosper; when they forsake Him, troubles arise. This verse serves as a powerful validation of Azariah's prophecy and the efficacy of genuine repentance and covenant renewal. It contrasts sharply with the earlier periods of instability and idolatry, providing a clear theological message on the source of true national security.

2 Chronicles 15 15 Commentary

2 Chronicles 15:15 encapsulates a pivotal moment in Judah's history under King Asa, demonstrating the spiritual principle that fervent devotion to God yields divine favor and blessing. The people's deep and authentic commitment, expressed through a solemn covenant "with all their heart" and "wholeheartedly seeking" God, highlights that God desires genuine internal transformation over mere external religiosity. Their active seeking was met with God's gracious self-revelation: "He was found by them." This finding signifies a restored relationship, divine presence, and answers to their seeking. The ultimate outcome of this spiritual alignment was not just inner peace, but tangible, national "rest on every side" – comprehensive peace and security from all their adversaries. This underscores that true peace, whether personal or national, is a gift from God contingent upon a right relationship with Him, characterized by sincere obedience and heartfelt pursuit. The passage encourages believers to approach God with similar wholeheartedness, confident that He will respond by granting a peace that transcends external circumstances.