Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
2 Chronicles Ch.16 / 36 Ch.s
2CH:16
* Asa seeks the aid of the Syrians, His death.
- A plain and faithful reproof was given to Asa by a prophet of
the Lord, for making a league with Syria. God is displeased when
he is distrusted, and when an arm of flesh is relied on, more
than his power and goodness. It is foolish to lean on a broken
reed, when we have the Rock of ages to rely upon. To convince
Asa of his folly, the prophet shows that he, of all men, had no
reason to distrust God, who had found him such a powerful
Helper. The many experiences we have had of the goodness of God
to us, aggravate our distrust of him. But see how deceitful our
hearts are! we trust in God when we have nothing else to trust
to, when need drives us to him; but when we have other things to
stay on, we are apt to depend too much on them. Observe Asa's
displeasure at this reproof. What is man, when God leaves him to
himself! He that abused his power for persecuting God's prophet,
was left to himself, to abuse it further for crushing his own
subjects. Two years before he died, Asa was diseased in his
feet. Making use of physicians was his duty; but trusting to
them, and expecting that from them which was to be had from God
only, were his sin and folly. In all conflicts and sufferings we
need especially to look to our own hearts, that they may be
perfect towards God, by faith, patience, and obedience.