2 Chronicles 15 6

2 Chronicles 15:6 kjv

And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.

2 Chronicles 15:6 nkjv

So nation was destroyed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every adversity.

2 Chronicles 15:6 niv

One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress.

2 Chronicles 15:6 esv

They were broken in pieces. Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress.

2 Chronicles 15:6 nlt

Nation fought against nation, and city against city, for God was troubling them with every kind of problem.

2 Chronicles 15 verses

2 Chronicles 15 6 Meaning

This verse describes a widespread condition of internal chaos and mutual destruction among various factions within Israel, extending from larger nations down to individual cities. This severe state of turmoil and affliction is explicitly attributed to God, who actively caused confusion and distress among the people as a consequence of their spiritual disloyalty and abandonment of His ways, as detailed in the preceding verses.

2 Chronicles 15 6 Context

Chapter 15 of 2 Chronicles details the significant religious reforms initiated by King Asa of Judah. Verse 6 is part of a prophetic message delivered by the prophet Azariah, son of Oded, to King Asa after a great victory over the Cushites (2 Chron 14). Azariah's message, starting from verse 2, serves as both a theological interpretation of Judah's history and a direct exhortation for Asa. It sets forth the principle that God's presence and favor are conditional upon human faithfulness: "The Lord is with you while you are with Him."

Verses 3-5 retrospectively describe a period of spiritual decline and the ensuing distress that affected "Israel" (here referring broadly to the people of God, possibly encompassing both Judah and the Northern Kingdom, or focusing on the pre-Asa state of Judah). This verse specifically depicts the resulting widespread societal breakdown: inter-state wars ("nation was crushed by nation") and civil unrest ("city by city"). This was not accidental or merely political, but a direct consequence ("for God troubled them") of their spiritual infidelity described in verse 3 ("For a long time Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest and without law."). The prophet's purpose in recounting this chaotic past was to motivate Asa to renewed devotion, illustrating the dire consequences of spiritual abandonment and the blessings of returning to God.

Historically, this era of the divided kingdom was marked by frequent conflicts between Judah and Israel, as well as with surrounding nations. The Chronicler’s narrative consistently interprets these political and military realities through a theological lens, asserting that such turmoil was a manifestation of divine judgment on a disobedient people, and peace a reward for faithfulness.

2 Chronicles 15 6 Word analysis

• And nation: Refers to a tribal grouping, a people group, or an organized kingdom. This indicates conflict at a large, political scale.
• was crushed: From the Hebrew verb shāvar (שָׁבַר), meaning "to break," "to shatter," "to destroy," or "to crush." This isn't merely defeat, but a deep, destructive breaking down, signifying internal weakness and complete societal breakdown. It conveys intense violence and devastating fragmentation.
• by nation: Reinforces the idea of conflict where one nation (or people group) breaks another. The repetition emphasizes widespread and reciprocal destruction.
• and city: Represents a more localized administrative and social unit, often serving as the heart of a region. This indicates that the strife permeated society from the highest national levels down to individual communities.
• by city: Continues the theme of mutual internal conflict. The devastation was not just inter-kingdom, but also within and between towns and localities. It implies civil unrest, local skirmishes, and loss of central authority or unity.
• for God: Elohim (אֱלֹהִים), the general but profound term for the divine. The direct and explicit naming of "God" here attributes the chaotic conditions not to chance, human error, or an enemy's power alone, but to the sovereign, active will of the Almighty. This highlights the theological premise that societal order or disorder ultimately stems from divine approval or judgment.
• troubled them: From the Hebrew verb hāmam (הָמַם), which means "to put to rout," "to confuse," "to discomfit," or "to throw into panic." It signifies God actively causing mental distress, panic, and internal disarray, leading to mutual destruction. It's an internal confounding, making people turn on each other.
• with all sorts of adversity: Hebrew kol-tsārāh (כָּל-צָרָה). Tsārāh (צָרָה) means "distress," "trouble," "anguish," "tribulation," or "calamity." The use of kol ("all" or "every kind of") intensifies this, indicating multifaceted, pervasive, and severe forms of trouble and hardship, a complete state of affliction touching every aspect of life. This phrase underlines the totality and depth of the divine judgment.

2 Chronicles 15 6 Bonus section

The Chronicler, writing much later, employs a clear theological agenda: to teach his post-exilic audience that their history, with its cycles of blessing and disaster, was directly linked to their fidelity to the covenant with Yahweh. This verse serves as a potent example of this theocratic interpretation of history, highlighting that even internal strife and civil breakdown are manifestations of God's active involvement in human affairs, especially when His people forsake Him. It functions as a sober warning that peace and unity are divine gifts dependent on covenant faithfulness, and their absence signifies divine displeasure. The description of widespread mutual destruction emphasizes the severity and pervasiveness of this judgment, indicating a total breakdown of order when God's hand of blessing is removed.

2 Chronicles 15 6 Commentary

2 Chronicles 15:6 paints a vivid picture of the destructive consequences when a people abandon God and His laws. It presents a divine perspective on the state of widespread societal collapse and constant warfare that characterized periods of Israel's history. The verse explains that the national and localized conflicts ("nation was crushed by nation, and city by city") were not random unfortunate events but the direct, intentional work of God.

This theological explanation clarifies that human distress, disunity, and violence can be instruments of divine judgment. God "troubled them," actively creating confusion and despair, leading them to turn against each other. This points to the profound spiritual principle that true peace and stability, whether at national or communal levels, are contingent upon a right relationship with God. When that relationship is fractured through apostasy and disobedience, God may withdraw His peace and protective hand, allowing, or even orchestrating, internal strife and mutual destruction. The "all sorts of adversity" implies a comprehensive judgment that permeates every aspect of their lives, from governance to daily life. The prophet Azariah's message to King Asa, therefore, underscores the imperative for national repentance and return to God as the sole means of restoring peace and prosperity.

• Examples for Practical Usage:
  • Family Discord: A family experiences constant arguments and division, reflecting a spiritual neglect where each person does what is right in their own eyes rather than seeking God's principles for unity.
  • Church Divisions: Congregations splitting or enduring bitter internal strife can be seen as "trouble" that God allows, or orchestrates, when sound doctrine and a pursuit of Christ-likeness are forsaken for personal agendas or worldliness.
  • Workplace Chaos: An environment plagued by backbiting, mistrust, and poor productivity might be experiencing a form of "adversity" when integrity, servanthood, and honest labor for God are ignored.