The big picture
2 Chronicles 15 opens in verse 1 with “And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:”, reaches its middle movement near verse 10 with “So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth…”, and closes in verse 19 with “And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, Israel, Judah, Benjamin, heart. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
2 Chronicles · King James Version · 192 Chronicles 15:1-7
1–7: The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:
2 Chronicles 15:1–7 opens with “And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:” and reaches “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Chronicles 15 develops its own movement around LORD, Israel, Judah, Benjamin, heart, with particular weight carried by city, forsake, Israel.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:” Naming Azariah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you…” Naming Asa and Benjamin keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
2 Chronicles 15:1-7
King James Version1And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:
2And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
3Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.
4But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.
5And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.
6And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.
7Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
2 Chronicles 15:8-14
8–14: When Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he…
2 Chronicles 15:8–14 opens with “And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put…” and reaches “And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Chronicles 15 develops its own movement around LORD, Israel, Judah, Benjamin, heart, with particular weight carried by LORD, Benjamin, Ephraim.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable…” Naming Asa and Benjamin keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon…” Naming Benjamin and Ephraim keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
2 Chronicles 15:8-14
King James Version8And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD , that was before the porch of the LORD .
9And 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.
10So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.
11And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.
12And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;
13That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.
14And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.
2 Chronicles 15:15-19
15–19: All Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart…
2 Chronicles 15:15–19 opens with “And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with…” and reaches “And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Chronicles 15 develops its own movement around LORD, Israel, Judah, Benjamin, heart, with particular weight carried by dedicated, heart, idol.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire…” Naming Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
2 Chronicles 15:15-19
King James Version15And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.
16And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.
17But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.
18And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels.
19And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
2 Chronicles 15:1 begins with “And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:”
Where the chapter turns
2 Chronicles 15:4 forms a natural hinge: “But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.”
The final note
2 Chronicles 15:19 leaves the reader with “And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, Israel, Judah, Benjamin, heart, seek help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What is Abram invited to trust?
God's promise of an heir and innumerable descendants despite his present childlessness.
Why does the delay matter?
The covenant is larger than one lifetime and includes suffering before deliverance.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.