2 Chronicles 15:9 kjv
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
2 Chronicles 15:9 nkjv
Then he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those who dwelt with them from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon, for they came over to him in great numbers from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
2 Chronicles 15:9 niv
Then he assembled all Judah and Benjamin and the people from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who had settled among them, for large numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
2 Chronicles 15:9 esv
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who were residing with them, for great numbers had deserted to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
2 Chronicles 15:9 nlt
Then Asa called together all the people of Judah and Benjamin, along with the people of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them. For many from Israel had moved to Judah during Asa's reign when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
2 Chronicles 15 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Chr 14:7 | So he said to Judah, "Let us build these cities... for we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side." | Asa's early faithfulness and blessing |
| 2 Chr 15:1-7 | And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah... "The LORD is with you while you are with Him..." | Prophetic encouragement for Asa |
| 2 Chr 15:12 | Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart... | Covenant renewal by the people |
| 2 Chr 11:13-17 | And from all the tribes of Israel, whoever set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem... | Priests and Levites moving to Judah earlier |
| 1 Ki 12:26-30 | Jeroboam said in his heart... he made two calves of gold and said, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem..." | Jeroboam's idolatry causes division |
| Lev 26:11-12 | I will set My tabernacle among you... and My soul shall not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God... | God's promise to be present with obedience |
| Deut 4:6 | "...Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." For what great nation has God so near to it... | God's closeness as a unique blessing |
| Josh 1:5 | No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you... | God's promise of presence to leaders |
| Psa 20:7 | Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. | Trusting in God brings true strength |
| Isa 56:3-7 | Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD speak, saying, "The LORD has utterly separated me from His people." | Foreigners/outsiders joining God's people |
| Zech 8:20-23 | "...Ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the skirt of a Jew, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'" | Nations attracted by God's presence |
| Matt 5:16 | Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. | God's people attracting others through witness |
| John 13:35 | By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. | Discipleship attracts observers |
| Acts 2:47 | ...praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. | Early church growth through God's favor |
| Phil 4:9 | The things which you learned... and practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. | Obedience secures God's presence |
| Rom 8:31 | What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? | God's "being with" as an assurance |
| 1 Cor 14:24-25 | But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever... is convicted... and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God... | Observing God's work leads to worship |
| Heb 13:5 | Let your conduct be without covetousness... For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." | Assurance of God's abiding presence |
| Gen 39:2-3 | The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man... His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper... | God's presence bringing visible blessing |
| Neh 6:16 | And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it... they were very disheartened... for they perceived that this work was done by our God. | Enemies observing God's hand at work |
| Psa 46:7 | The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. | Reassurance in God's powerful presence |
| Jer 42:11 | Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon... for I am with you, to save you... | God's promise to protect His people |
2 Chronicles 15 verses
2 Chronicles 15 9 Meaning
This verse describes King Asa's act of assembling the people of Judah and Benjamin for a covenant renewal. Crucially, it highlights that a significant number of individuals from the Northern Kingdom – specifically the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon – abandoned their apostate kingdom and "fell to him" (joined Asa) in abundance. Their motivation for this migration was their clear observation and recognition that the LORD, Asa's God, was unmistakably with him, manifesting His presence through blessing and success.
2 Chronicles 15 9 Context
Chapter 15 of 2 Chronicles opens with the prophet Azariah son of Oded, empowered by the Spirit of God, delivering a powerful message to King Asa. He proclaims that the LORD is with Asa while Asa is with Him, warning that if Asa forsakes the LORD, the LORD will forsake him. This prophecy inspires Asa to undertake a profound religious reform: removing idolatry from Judah and Benjamin, repairing the altar of the LORD, and gathering the people. Verse 9 specifically highlights the significant spiritual magnetism of Asa's reforms and God's manifest presence with him, drawing loyal adherents of the LORD from the apostate Northern Kingdom to join the covenant people in Jerusalem. This mass migration of sincere worshipers forms the context for the solemn covenant renewal ceremony described later in the chapter (v.10-15), which brought a period of peace to the land.
Historically, this event occurs during the early years of the divided kingdom. Following the reign of Solomon, ten tribes seceded to form the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which swiftly adopted calf worship under Jeroboam I, diverging sharply from the true worship centered at the temple in Jerusalem. The Southern Kingdom of Judah, though often plagued by idolatry, maintained the Davidic dynasty and the Jerusalem temple, making it the legitimate spiritual home for those seeking to truly worship the LORD. This verse shows a powerful reversal, where the spiritual light of Judah under Asa causes a significant exodus of devout individuals from the religiously corrupt North.
2 Chronicles 15 9 Word analysis
- And he gathered: This refers to King Asa. The verb suggests a purposeful convocation, an organized assembly rather than a spontaneous gathering. This emphasizes Asa's active leadership in national repentance and reform.
- all Judah and Benjamin: These two tribes constituted the core of the Southern Kingdom. The inclusion of "all" stresses the comprehensive nature of the assembly, involving the entire legitimate population under Asa's rule.
- and those who sojourned with them: The Hebrew word for "sojourned" (גָּר, gar) typically refers to an alien resident or a non-native living among a people, often implying a temporary stay. Here, it refers to those from the Northern tribes who had chosen to leave their homes and resettle within Judah, essentially becoming part of its community due to shared faith.
- out of Ephraim and Manasseh and Simeon: These are key tribes of the Northern Kingdom. Ephraim and Manasseh were the dominant tribes representing much of Israel. Simeon, though technically located within Judah's tribal allotment, had a history of intertwining with both kingdoms. Their presence underscores that this migration was from all parts of the apostate Northern Kingdom. This shows a deep theological divide leading to a physical relocation for the sake of true worship.
- for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance: The Hebrew verb "fell" (נָפַל, naphal) signifies defecting or joining by falling away from one group and aligning with another. It powerfully conveys a purposeful, decisive move, a breaking of allegiance from the idolatrous Northern Kingdom ("Israel" here referring to the ten tribes under various kings, most notably Jeroboam's lineage at this time) to the righteous rule of Asa in Judah. "In abundance" (לָרוֹב, larov) highlights the considerable number of people involved, signifying a significant demographic shift driven by spiritual conviction.
- when they saw: The Hebrew verb for "saw" (רָאָה, ra'ah) implies not merely visual perception but understanding, recognition, and discernment. These individuals recognized the spiritual decline and absence of divine blessing in the North compared to the evident favor on Asa.
- that the LORD his God was with him: This is the pivotal reason for the mass defection and resettlement. "The LORD his God" emphasizes God's personal covenant relationship with Asa as king and the nation of Judah. "Was with him" (עִמּוֹ, immo) denotes God's manifest presence, His favor, power, and blessing, evident in Asa's military victories (Ch. 14), the prevailing peace, and the prosperity of the land. This presence stood in stark contrast to the divine judgment and instability facing the Northern Kingdom due to its idolatry. This phrase acts as a magnetic force, drawing people who yearned for true communion with God. This concept directly challenges the notion that physical proximity to political power equals spiritual legitimacy; rather, spiritual legitimacy (God's presence) brings people to that place of power.
2 Chronicles 15 9 Bonus section
- The migration from the Northern Kingdom serves as a living testimony against Jeroboam's religious innovations and his fear of his subjects returning to Jerusalem. This act, driven by conviction, highlights that true loyalty to God transcends political boundaries.
- This influx of people from different tribes fostered a greater sense of unity among those dedicated to the LORD, reinforcing the Chronicler's theme of the enduring ideal of a unified Israel, centered on Yahweh worship in Jerusalem.
- The phrase "the LORD his God was with him" encapsulates a profound covenant blessing that extends beyond the individual to impact the entire nation and attract those seeking refuge and truth. It's a reminder that a faithful walk with God has outward, discernible effects that can draw others to faith.
2 Chronicles 15 9 Commentary
2 Chronicles 15:9 beautifully illustrates the magnetic power of a leader who wholeheartedly pursues God, and the visible manifestation of God's presence. Asa's commitment to rooting out idolatry and restoring true worship resulted in divine favor, evident to all, even those outside his immediate kingdom. This verse reveals that the Northern Kingdom's religious apostasy created a spiritual vacuum that could not satisfy the genuine seekers of God. Consequently, large numbers of devout individuals, discontent with the golden calf worship and lack of divine blessing in their own lands, chose to defect and align themselves with King Asa and the legitimate worship in Jerusalem. This mass migration underscores a crucial theological principle of Chronicles: when God's people live in obedience, His presence is palpable, becoming a beacon that draws others towards Him. This attraction is not due to human charisma or political power alone, but to the undeniable reality that the LORD "was with him," making the true God and His faithful king visibly distinct from their idolatrous counterparts. It demonstrates that authentic spiritual revival impacts not just internal adherents but can attract outsiders, eager for a taste of God's favor and truth.