King Asa, the third king of Judah following the division of Israel, reigned for forty-one years. He was the son of Abijam and grandson of Rehoboam, inheriting a kingdom marked by political vulnerability and spiritual decay 1 Kings 15:1-8 . Asa’s reign was initially marked by peace and prosperity, during which he implemented significant religious reforms to restore true worship of God and eliminate idolatry 2 Chronicles 14:1-15 .

One of Asa’s most notable acts of devotion was removing his grandmother, Maacah, from her position as queen mother due to her idolatrous practices 2 Chronicles 15:1-19 . She had constructed an Asherah pole, which Asa destroyed and burned. He also expelled male shrine prostitutes and removed the idols his predecessors had introduced, earning commendation for doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

In the eleventh year of Asa’s reign, Judah faced a significant military threat from Zerah the Cushite, who led an army of one million men against Judah. Asa demonstrated profound faith by seeking the Lord in prayer, calling for help, and confessing their reliance on him. God granted him a decisive victory, leading to a period of religious revival. Encouraged by the prophet Azariah, Asa renewed the covenant with God and repaired the altar in Jerusalem. This revival inspired many from the northern tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon to join Judah, recognizing God’s favor on Asa’s reign.

However, Asa’s reliance on God faltered in later years. When Baasha, king of Israel, conquered Ramah, a city approximately 7 miles from Jerusalem, to isolate Jerusalem, Asa turned to Ben-Hadad, king of Aram (Syria), for assistance. Draining the silver and gold from the temple treasury, Asa bribed Ben-Hadad to attack Israel, forcing Baasha to abandon his plans 2 Chronicles 16:1-11 . Although the strategy succeeded, Asa’s reliance on human alliances rather than on God was rebuked by the prophet Hanani, who declared that the eyes of the Lord search throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. In anger, Asa imprisoned Hanani and oppressed some of his people.

A severe disease in his feet marred Asa’s final years. Despite his earlier faithfulness, he sought medical help rather than turning to God. Two years later, he died and was buried in a tomb he had prepared in Jerusalem, with his people honoring him with a magnificent funeral 2 Chronicles 16:12-14 . Asa’s reign is remembered for his early devotion to God and commitment to reform. However, his later actions serve as a cautionary tale about the consequences of relying on human strength rather than God’s help.