The big picture
2 Chronicles 16 opens in verse 1 with “In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 7 with “And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because…”, and closes in verse 14 with “And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of…” Repeated or prominent terms include king, Judah, LORD, Baasha, Israel. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
2 Chronicles · King James Version · 142 Chronicles 16:1-7
1–7: In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel…
2 Chronicles 16:1–7 opens with “In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah…” and reaches “And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Chronicles 16 develops its own movement around king, Judah, LORD, Baasha, Israel, with particular weight carried by king, Baasha, Judah.
Context that brings the passage to life
“In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the…” The number six makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
“Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house, and sent…” Naming Asa and Ben keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver…” Naming Baasha and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
2 Chronicles 16:1-7
King James Version1In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
2Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben-hadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
3There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
4And Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.
5And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.
6Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.
7And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
2 Chronicles 16:8-14
8–14: Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many…
2 Chronicles 16:8–14 opens with “Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet…” and reaches “And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Chronicles 16 develops its own movement around king, Judah, LORD, Baasha, Israel, with particular weight carried by LORD, disease, reign.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing…” Naming Asa keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
2 Chronicles 16:8-14
King James Version8Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD , he delivered them into thine hand.
9For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
10Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.
11And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
12And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD , but to the physicians.
13And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.
14And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries’ art: and they made a very great burning for him.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
2 Chronicles 16:1 begins with “In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out…”
Where the chapter turns
2 Chronicles 16:6 forms a natural hinge: “Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith…”
The final note
2 Chronicles 16:14 leaves the reader with “And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words king, Judah, LORD, Baasha, Israel, house help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Whose perspective receives unexpected attention?
Hagar's. The messenger finds her, names her and speaks about her future.
What does Ishmael's name commemorate?
God has heard her affliction, according to verse 11.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
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.