Applying Asa's Reforms in 2 Chronicles 15:17 to Personal Life
Second Chronicles 15:17 states, "But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days" (2 Chronicles 15:17 BSB). This verse offers a nuanced assessment of King Asa's reign, highlighting both his significant reforms and a lingering imperfection.
The broader context of 2 Chronicles 15 describes Asa's extensive efforts to purify Judah from idolatry. After a decisive victory against the Cushites, the prophet Azariah encouraged Asa to continue his reforms, promising God's presence and help [2, 3]. Asa responded with renewed courage, removing "detestable idols" and initiating a comprehensive reform [6, 8]. He even deposed his own mother, Maacah, from her influential role as queen mother because of her involvement in pagan fertility rites [5]. Asa and the people entered into a solemn covenant with the Lord, committing to serve Him [3].
Despite these significant actions, 2 Chronicles 15:17 notes that "the high places were not taken away out of Israel" [1]. High places were sites of worship, often on elevated ground, which could be used for legitimate worship of Yahweh but were frequently associated with idolatrous practices [5]. While Asa's heart is described as "perfect all his days" [1], indicating his sincere devotion and commitment to God, this verse acknowledges a limitation in his reforms. Some commentators interpret "perfect" in this context as meaning he aimed to please God and sought His approval [7].
The phrase "out of Israel" in 2 Chronicles 15:17 is significant. While Asa reigned over Judah, the mention of "Israel" might refer to the broader northern kingdom or the entire land, suggesting that some idolatrous sites persisted beyond his direct control or influence [6]. Other interpretations suggest that while Asa removed many idols, some high places, perhaps those dedicated to Yahweh but still outside the Jerusalem temple, remained [5].
This verse, therefore, presents a complex picture of a king who was genuinely devoted to God and initiated widespread reforms, yet did not achieve complete eradication of all idolatrous elements. His character was generally "good and right," though not entirely free from faults later in his reign [4, 7].
Sources
- 2 Chronicles “But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days. -- 2 Chronicles 15:17”
- 2 Chronicles (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Chronicles 15 (introduction): Azariah's prophecy concerning Israel, and his exhortation to Asa, Ch2 15:1-7. Asa completes the reformation which he had begun, his kingdom is greatly strengthened, and all to people make a solemn covenant with the Lord, Ch2 15:8-15. His treatment of his mother Maachah, Ch2 15:16. He brings into the house of God the things that has father had dedicated, Ch2 15:17, Ch2 15:18. And he has no war till the thirty-fifth year of his reign, Ch2 15:19.”
- 2 Chronicles (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Chronicles 15 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 15 Asa returning from the battle, and with the spoil of the enemy, was met by a prophet of the Lord, who encouraged him to go on with the work of reformation, promising the presence and help of God with him, Ch2 15:1, which inspired him with fresh courage, and he went about the work with great alacrity; and having offered sacrifices, he and his people entered into a solemn covenant with the Lord, to serve him, Ch2 15:8 upon which he destroyed his mother's idol, brought the dedicated things into the house of God, and th”
- 2 Chronicles (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Chronicles 14:2: Asa did that which was good and right--(compare Kg1 15:14). Still his character and life were not free from faults (Ch2 16:7, Ch2 16:10, Ch2 16:12).”
- 1 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Kings 15:11: 15:11-13 did what was pleasing: In addition to reforms mentioned here, the Chronicler records the positive spiritual influence of God’s prophet Azariah upon the king (2 Chr 15:1-7) and Asa’s convening of a great assembly to renew the covenant with the Lord (2 Chr 15:9-15). • shrine prostitutes: See 1 Kgs 14:23-24. Asa’s efforts to restrict idolatry and pagan fertility rites even extended to Maacah, deposing her from her influential role as queen mother (15:13; 2 Chr 15:16). • The Kidron Valley became a place for reforming kings of Judah to destroy pagan idols (2”
- 2 Chronicles (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Chronicles 15:8: 15:8-18 The Chronicler described Asa’s response in the precise terms of the prophet’s exhortation, but Asa’s specific actions went far beyond its general directives. As soon as Asa heard the prophetic words, he took courage in initiating a comprehensive reform, beginning with the removal of the detestable idols that again infested the land (see 14:5). Full trust in God had won the war against the Cushites, and total renewal of the covenant brought the Promised Land to rest (15:15). 15:8 The towns he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim were those conq”
- 2 Chronicles (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Chronicles 14:1: Here is, I. Asa's general character (Ch2 14:2): He did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. 1. He aimed at pleasing God, studied to approve himself to him. Happy are those that walk by this rule, to do that which is right, not in their own eyes, or in the eye of the world, but in the eyes of God. 2. He saw God's eye always upon him, and that helped much to keep him to what was good and right. 3. God graciously accepted him in what he did, and approved his conduct as good and right. II. A blessed work of reformation which he set on f”
- 2 Chronicles (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Chronicles 15:8: We are here told what good effect the foregoing sermon had upon Asa. I. He grew more bold for God than he had been. His victory would inspire him with some new degrees of resolution, but this message from God with much more. Now he took courage. he saw how necessary a further reformation was, and what assurance he had of God's presence with him in it; and this made him daring, and helped him over the difficulties which had before deterred him and driven him off from the undertaking. Now he ventured to destroy all the abominable idols (and all idolatries are ”