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Asa אָסָא

Male Tribe of Judah H0609G 5 books

King of Judah, son of Abijah; father of Jehoshaphat

Who is Asa in the Bible?

Asa was a king of Judah who reigned for 41 years and is remembered as one of Judah's most significant reformers (1 Kings 15, 2 Chronicles 14-16). The son of Abijah and grandson of Rehoboam, Asa removed idols and high places from the land, even deposing his own grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made an obscene image of Asherah (2 Chronicles 15:16). Early in his reign, he demonstrated strong faith by crying out to the Lord when facing an invasion by Zerah the Ethiopian, and the Lord delivered him from this threat (2 Chronicles 14:11-12). However, in his later years, Asa's trust wavered when he sought military help from Ben-Hadad of Syria against Baasha of Israel rather than relying on God, and he imprisoned the prophet Hanani for rebuking him (2 Chronicles 16:7-10). Asa's reign illustrates both the blessings that come from seeking God and the consequences of turning away from Him, establishing him as a pivotal figure in Judah's spiritual history.

Biography

Asa was the third king of Judah, son of Abijah (or 'Abijam') and grandson of Rehoboam. He reigned for 41 years, from the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel. Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, removing idols, male cult prostitutes, and high places from Judah. He even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made an obscene image of Asherah. Asa faced an invasion by Zerah the Ethiopian but defeated him with God's help after crying out to the Lord. In his later years, Asa sought help from Ben-Hadad king of Syria against Baasha king of Israel instead of relying on God and imprisoned the seer Hanani for rebuking him. Asa developed a severe foot disease but did not seek the Lord's help. He died and was succeeded by his son Jehoshaphat.

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In Scripture

5 biblical books ; 2 with study content
1 Kings 5 verses
  • 1 Kings 15:8

    "And Abijam rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David, and his son Asa reigned in his place."

  • 1 Kings 15:9

    "In the twentieth year of Jeroboam’s reign over Israel, Asa became king of Judah,"

  • 1 Kings 15:11

    "And Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done."

  • 1 Kings 15:13

    "He also removed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made a detestable Asherah pole. Asa chopped down the pole and burned it in the Kidron Valley."

  • 1 Kings 15:14

    "The high places were not removed, but Asa’s heart was fully devoted to the LORD all his days."

1 Chronicles 1 verse
  • 1 Chronicles 3:10

    "Solomon’s son was Rehoboam: Abijah was his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,"

2 Chronicles 5 verses
  • 2 Chronicles 14:1

    "Then Abijah rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And his son Asa reigned in his place, and in his days the land was at peace for ten years."

  • 2 Chronicles 14:2

    "And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God."

  • 2 Chronicles 14:8

    "Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin bearing small shields and drawing the bow. All these were mighty men of valor."

  • 2 Chronicles 14:10

    "So Asa marched out against him and lined up in battle formation in the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah."

  • 2 Chronicles 14:11

    "Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail..."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script
Named Hebrew אָסָא
Greek Greek Ἀσά