Back to all lyrics
Artwork for The LORD Smote the Ethiopian Host

2 Chronicles 14:1-15:19

The LORD Smote the Ethiopian Host

Lyrics · 2 Chronicles

The LORD Smote the Ethiopian Host

2 Chronicles 14:1-15:19

Lyrics

Now playing

The LORD Smote the Ethiopian Host

2 Chronicles 14:1-15:19

Playing next

  1. Lyrics and song details

About this song

About this song

This song belongs to the 2 Chronicles collection. One recording is available to play here, with the complete lyrics below.

Bible book
2 Chronicles
Collection
2 Chronicles
Musical styles
Uncategorized
[Verse 1] Asa begins his reign with ten years of quiet. Foreign altars, high places, images, and groves are removed. Fortified cities rise during the years of rest. Zerah advances with one million men and three hundred chariots. [Pre-Chorus] The line drew close, the watch was nearly done, Then courage rose before the rising sun. [Chorus] The LORD Smote the Ethiopian Host, let the trumpet answer clear, Not by number, not by sword, not by fear. The faithful moved where the battle line was drawn, And the purpose of the LORD kept moving on. [Verse 2] God smites the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah. The enemy is pursued to Gerar with no recovery. Surrounding cities fall under divine fear, yielding much spoil. He declares that God remains with those who seek him and leaves those who forsake him. [Bridge] Asa is encouraged to be strong because faithful work has reward. The king removes idols, renews the altar, and gathers defectors from northern tribes. The nation sacrifices abundantly and covenants to seek God with all heart. Maachah is removed for idolatry, dedicated things enter the temple. [Final Chorus] The LORD Smote the Ethiopian Host, let the trumpet answer clear, Not by number, not by sword, not by fear. The faithful moved where the battle line was drawn, And the purpose of the LORD would still move on. [Outro] The field grew still; the record kept the name. Courage passed onward through the fading flame.

About the passage

2 Chronicles 14: Rest builds cities, reliance meets the army

Asa's reign begins with removal, direction, and rest. He tears down rival worship and commands Judah to seek the LORD and keep the law, while ten quiet years create room for practical preparation. Walls, towers, gates, bars, and a large organized army show that reliance on God is not presented as an excuse for neglecting defence. Then Zerah arrives with the force the KJV numbers at a thousand thousand and three hundred chariots. Asa's preparation remains real, but his prayer refuses to make the outcome a simple calculation of troop strength. He appeals to the God who can help whether human power is great or weak and says Judah rests on him. The LORD is credited with striking the invading force, while Asa's army pursues, attacks surrounding places, and carries extensive spoil back to Jerusalem. Rest, readiness, prayer, and action remain joined.

Study 2 Chronicles 14 in depth

2 Chronicles 15: Victory is followed by a covenant, not a holiday

Victory does not earn Asa a quiet epilogue. Azariah meets the returning king with a conditional word: seek and find, forsake and be forsaken. Asa responds by taking courage, extending reform, renewing the altar, and gathering Judah, Benjamin, and people who have crossed from northern tribes after seeing that God is with him. Spoil from the previous campaign appears at the altar, turning military gain into part of a public act of worship. The assembly then enters a covenant to seek the LORD with all heart and soul. Its rejoicing stands beside a severe death penalty for refusal, so the occasion is more than a festival of enthusiasm. Reform also reaches the royal household when Maachah is removed from her position and her idol destroyed. Yet remaining high places keep the chapter from claiming complete success. Asa's heart is affirmed without declaring every act of his reign faultless.

Study 2 Chronicles 15 in depth