King of Judah
Asa
AY-suh
A long-reigning king remembered for genuine religious reform early in his reign, including removing his own grandmother from her royal position for idolatry, but criticized late in life for relying on an alliance with Aram rather than trusting God.
Life and work
Asa reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem and is credited with doing what was right, removing male cult prostitutes and idols his predecessors had set up, and even deposing his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made an obscene image for Asherah worship, which he cut down and burned (1 Kings 15:9-13; 2 Chronicles 14:2-5).
Early in his reign Asa fortified Judah's cities and defeated a massive invading army under Zerah the Cushite, crediting the victory to God after praying that 'it is nothing for you to help, whether with many or with those who have no power' (2 Chronicles 14:6-15).
When King Baasha of Israel fortified Ramah to blockade Judah, Asa emptied the temple and palace treasuries to bribe Ben-hadad of Aram/Syria into breaking his treaty with Israel and attacking it instead, which worked militarily but drew a rebuke from the prophet Hanani for not relying on the LORD; Asa reacted by imprisoning Hanani and oppressing some of his own people (1 Kings 15:16-22; 2 Chronicles 16:1-10).
In his old age Asa developed a severe disease in his feet, and the text notes critically that 'even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but sought help from physicians'; he died and was buried with great honor in a tomb he had cut for himself (1 Kings 15:23-24; 2 Chronicles 16:12-14).
- Occupation
- King of Judah
- Places
- Jerusalem
Questions and debates
Scholars debate whether the Chronicler's criticism of Asa for consulting physicians reflects a broader ancient Israelite suspicion of medicine as a rival to divine healing, or is specific to the narrative's theme that Asa's later reign showed declining faith compared to his vigorous early reforms.
Extra-biblical evidence
No confirmed extra-biblical inscription naming Asa has been identified, though Ben-hadad and other Aramean kings of this general period are attested in Aramaic and Assyrian sources independent of the biblical text.
Scripture references
- 1 Kings 15:9-24 — Reign summary, reforms, and alliance with Aram
- 2 Chronicles 14:2-15 — Reforms and victory over Zerah the Cushite
- 2 Chronicles 16:1-14 — Alliance with Ben-hadad, Hanani's rebuke, illness, and death
- Matthew 1:7-8 — Named in Jesus's genealogy
Further reading
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