2Ch 15:2-9 | TNotes

Summary for 2Chr 15:3-6: 15:3-6 ^a The dark times, described as resulting from the lack of knowing God (cp. Hos 3:4-5 ^b), seem best to fit the period of the judges.
15:5 ^c it was not safe to travel: Cp. Judg 5:6-8 ^d; Zech 8:10 ^e.
15:7 ^f The exhortation to be strong and courageous is a literal quotation of the exhortation that both Moses and Joshua gave Israel when they were first entering the land (Deut 31:6-7 ^g; Josh 1:6 ^h, 9 ⁱ, 18 ^j).
Summary for 2Chr 15:8-18: 15:8-18 ^k The Chronicler described Asa’s response in the precise terms of the prophet’s exhortation, but Asa’s specific actions went far beyond its general directives. As soon as Asa heard the prophetic words, he took courage in initiating a comprehensive reform, beginning with the removal of the detestable idols that again infested the land (see 14:5 ^l). Full trust in God had won the war against the Cushites, and total renewal of the covenant brought the Promised Land to rest (15:15 ^m). 15:8 ⁿ The towns he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim were those conquered in his war with Baasha (16:1 ^o). There was continuous warfare between Baasha and Asa (see 1 Kgs 15:16 ^p).
15:9 ^q the people of Ephraim, Manasseh: The Chronicler always included the northern tribes in his accounts of spiritual reform (cp. 30:1-11 ^r).

• The territory of Simeon was absorbed into Judah.