2 Chronicles 15 18

2 Chronicles 15:18 kjv

And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels.

2 Chronicles 15:18 nkjv

He also brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated and that he himself had dedicated: silver and gold and utensils.

2 Chronicles 15:18 niv

He brought into the temple of God the silver and gold and the articles that he and his father had dedicated.

2 Chronicles 15:18 esv

And he brought into the house of God the sacred gifts of his father and his own sacred gifts, silver, and gold, and vessels.

2 Chronicles 15:18 nlt

He brought into the Temple of God the silver and gold and the various items that he and his father had dedicated.

2 Chronicles 15 verses

2 Chronicles 15 18 Meaning

King Asa, demonstrating his fervent commitment to the Lord, restored to the Temple those sacred objects which had been consecrated by his father and additionally brought in his own dedicated gifts. These items, consisting of valuable silver, gold, and various vessels, signified a powerful act of reconsecration and a return to proper worship following a period of spiritual decline and neglect.

2 Chronicles 15 18 Context

Chapter 15 of 2 Chronicles details the significant religious reforms initiated by King Asa. Following his victory over the Cushites in Chapter 14, the prophet Azariah son of Oded came to meet Asa with a message from God. Azariah's prophecy (15:1-7) was a powerful call to faithfulness, reminding Asa and Judah that the Lord would be with them if they were with Him, and would abandon them if they forsook Him. This message deeply stirred King Asa.

Verse 18 follows directly from Asa's zealous response to this prophetic word. Immediately after hearing Azariah's message, Asa "took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had captured" (15:8). He then repaired the altar of the LORD. His act of restoring dedicated items to the Temple, mentioned in this verse, is part of this comprehensive cleansing and restoration of proper worship. This commitment culminated in a national covenant where the people of Judah vowed to seek the Lord with all their heart and soul, establishing the death penalty for those who did not (15:12-15).

Historically, Asa's reign (c. 913–873 BC) was marked by a strong pursuit of God compared to many of his predecessors. His father, Abijah, had a short and mixed reign. His grandfather, Rehoboam, experienced the plundering of the Temple treasures by Pharaoh Shishak (2 Chr 12:9-10). It is highly probable that some of the "dedicated things of his father" (likely referring to items taken during Rehoboam's reign, or items Abijah himself had dedicated or recovered but not fully restored to Temple service) were now being rightfully returned or re-consecrated by Asa, alongside his own generous offerings, signifying a profound act of reverent stewardship. This action also contrasts with previous kings who may have diverted Temple treasures for personal gain or political alliance.

2 Chronicles 15 18 Word analysis

• He: Refers to King Asa of Judah. The personal pronoun emphasizes his direct and intentional action, highlighting his piety and leadership in initiating this vital reform. It demonstrates his heart's devotion as the catalyst for national spiritual renewal.
• brought into: The Hebrew verb is hêbî', indicating an active, deliberate bringing or placing of items. This wasn't a passive discovery or accidental return but a conscious act of restoration and consecration. It speaks of taking responsibility and re-establishing sacred order.
• the house of the LORD: Hebrew: Bêṯ Yahweh (בֵּית יְהוָה). This refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the unified kingdom and later for Judah. It symbolizes God's dwelling among His people and the heart of Israel's covenant relationship with Him. Bringing items here signified their return to sacred use and acknowledgment of God's rightful ownership.
• the dedicated things: Hebrew: haqqōdāšîm (הַקֳּדָשִׁים). This crucial term refers to items that have been consecrated, set apart, or made holy for sacred use, especially in Temple service. They are distinct from common or profane items. This emphasizes the sanctity and holiness associated with these objects, which had been previously desecrated or neglected, now being restored to their proper holy function.
• of his father: This phrase most likely refers to the "dedicated things" originally acquired or vowed by Asa's immediate predecessor, King Abijah, or even items from his grandfather King Rehoboam's time. This includes items that may have been plundered by foreign invaders (like Pharaoh Shishak during Rehoboam's reign, see 2 Chr 12:9) and subsequently recovered, or those that were withheld, neglected, or improperly utilized by previous rulers. Asa's act rectifies these past missteps and asserts his commitment to true worship by restoring what belonged to God's house. It highlights a continuity of royal responsibility and a restoration of sacred patrimony.
• and his own dedicated things: This signifies Asa's personal devotion and generosity. It implies he not only corrected past deficiencies but also actively contributed from his own resources. This personal consecration reinforces his wholehearted commitment to God, setting an example for his kingdom and showing that his piety was not merely restorative but also actively contributing to God's worship.
• silver, and gold, and vessels: These three categories are typical materials for sacred items in the Tabernacle and Temple.
  • Silver (kesep, כֶּסֶף): A precious metal used for various cultic instruments, priestly garments, and general Temple contributions.
  • Gold (zāhāḇ, זָהָב): The most precious metal, used extensively for decorating the Temple, sacred furniture (Ark, menorah, altar), and high-value vessels.
  • Vessels (kēlîm, כֵּלִים): A general term for utensils, instruments, or containers used in the Temple rituals, made of various materials including precious metals. Their presence confirms the restoration of practical items necessary for proper Temple service. This list indicates significant material wealth consecrated to God, showing tangible evidence of dedication.

2 Chronicles 15 18 Bonus section

The Chronicler often emphasizes the importance of the Temple and proper worship, seeing it as central to Judah's prosperity and covenant fidelity. Asa's actions, culminating in the formal covenant in 2 Chronicles 15, provide a positive example within the Deuteronomistic historical framework of immediate divine blessing for obedience. His act of dedicating treasures echoes King David's extensive preparations for the Temple and Solomon's completion and furnishing of it. Conversely, it serves as a stark contrast to kings who pillaged or ignored the Temple, often leading to divine judgment.

While 1 Kings 15:15 offers a parallel but shorter account, 2 Chronicles expands upon Asa's zeal and the divine prophetic context that motivated his actions. The chronicler highlights how leaders who take tangible steps towards restoring righteous worship often initiate broader national renewal, impacting every facet of society by redirecting focus back to God.

2 Chronicles 15 18 Commentary

King Asa's restoration of "dedicated things" to the house of the LORD in 2 Chronicles 15:18 stands as a profound testament to his genuine and comprehensive religious reform. This single verse, while concise, encapsulates the broader themes of Asa's reign as portrayed by the Chronicler: the importance of seeking the Lord with one's whole heart, the rectifying of past spiritual negligence, and the physical manifestation of covenant fidelity.

The act of bringing back consecrated items—both those from his predecessors and his own personal contributions—is not merely about returning material wealth. It signifies a profound re-orientation of the nation's spiritual priorities. Under previous kings, especially Rehoboam and even Abijah to some extent, the Temple and its treasures had either been neglected, desecrated, or plundered. Asa's action symbolized a reclamation of God's sovereignty over Judah's resources and the sanctification of worship. It represented a physical manifestation of his decision to cleanse the land of idolatry and to re-establish the covenant relationship with Yahweh.

The inclusion of "silver, gold, and vessels" underscores the value and significance of these offerings. These were not minor donations but costly, sacred implements essential for the proper functioning of Temple worship. By ensuring these items were restored to their rightful place, Asa affirmed the dignity and sanctity of God's dwelling place and the rituals performed within it. This act resonates with earlier examples of dedication in the Pentateuch (Exodus 25-30) and later examples of Temple restoration under kings like Hezekiah and Josiah.

Furthermore, the mention of "his own dedicated things" emphasizes Asa's personal commitment. His devotion wasn't limited to merely correcting the past but extended to his own generosity, demonstrating a king who personally modeled the obedience he sought to instill in his people. This wholeheartedness, as Azariah's prophecy stipulated, was directly tied to the divine blessing and rest Judah experienced under Asa's early reign.

Examples of practical usage:

• Restoration: It reminds believers of the need to restore areas of our lives, our communities, or our churches that may have drifted from God's intended purpose.
• Stewardship: It highlights the principle of consecrating our resources (time, talents, treasures) back to God for His service, acknowledging His ultimate ownership.
• Integrity: Asa's act showcases leadership by example, where personal devotion leads the way in corporate reform and renewal.