First Kings 15:22-24
‘Then King Asa made a proclamation…. The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built — are they not written in the book of Chronicles?…. Nevertheless, in the time of his old age, he was diseased in his feet. And Asa fell asleep with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David.’ First Kings 15:22-24.
Asa reigned for fully 41 years. His own grandmother Maacah, the mother of his father King Abijam, continued to retain her post of Queen-Mother under Asa. Until he deposed her on account of her idolatry, and had the idol of Ashera hewn into pieces and burned in the valley of the Kidron.
Asa’s heart was wholly given to the Lord, even though he was unable thoroughly to carry out the total abolition of the unlawful images of Jehovah. Yet he brought the sacred offerings of his father and also his own sacred offerings into the house of Jehovah.
The state of hostility between Asa’s Judah and Baasa’s Israel continued during his reign. However, after the great victory over Israel’s Jeroboam, Judah enjoyed rest for ten years (Second Chronicles 14:1).
How did Asa employ that time? He exterminated idolatry, fortified different cities, and equipped his army (Second Chronicles 14:2-7).
Zerah’s Ethiopians then invaded Judah with an innumerable army of a million soldiers and three hundred chariots. But it was totally defeated, with the help of the Lord God (Second Chronicles 15:9-14).
Thereupon Asa, encouraged by the Prophet Azariah, proceeded with fresh zeal to exterminate such traces of idolatry as still remained in Judah. He then held, with the whole nation, a great festival of thanksgiving and rejoicing to the Lord at Jerusalem (Second Chronicles 15:1-15).
The disease in Asa’s feet during his old age, commenced — according to Second Chronicles 16:12 — in the 39th year of his reign. He did indeed seek the help of physicians, but the disease in his feet continued to worsen until it became exceedingly great.
Apparently, that disease resulted in his death. For Asa then fell asleep, with his fathers — and died in the 41st year of his reign Second Chronicles 16:13.
He was then buried in his own tomb, which he himself had earlier made in Jerusalem. His grave was perfumed with sweet odours and various kinds of spices, all prepared by the art of the apothecaries. And he was given a very great funeral. Second Chronicles 16:14.
May we, like Asa, destroy even all idolatrous pictures of Jehovah-Jesus! The godly Asa was diseased in his feet in his old age. Very much diseased. But then he died, and went to glory!
