mh_parser/vol_split/14 - 2Chronicles/Chapter 15.xml

<div2 id="iiCh.xvi" n="xvi" next="iiCh.xvii" prev="iiCh.xv" progress="82.60%" title="Chapter XV">
<h2 id="iiCh.xvi-p0.1">S E C O N D   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iiCh.xvi-p0.2">CHAP. XV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiCh.xvi-p1">Asa and his army were now returning in triumph
from the battle, laden with spoils and adorned with the trophies of
victory, the pious prince, we may now suppose, studying what he
should render to God for this great favour. He knew that the work
of reformation, which he had begun in his kingdom, was not
perfected; his enemies abroad were subdued, but there were more
dangerous enemies at home that were yet unconquered—idols in Judah
and Benjamin: his victory over the former emboldened him vigorously
to renew his attack upon the latter. Now here we have, I. The
message which God sent to him, by a prophet, to engage him to, and
encourage him in, the prosecution of his reformation, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.1-2Chr.15.7" parsed="|2Chr|15|1|15|7" passage="2Ch 15:1-7">ver. 1-7</scripRef>. II. The life which this
message put into that good cause, and their proceedings in
pursuance of it. Idols removed, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.8" parsed="|2Chr|15|8|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:8">ver.
8</scripRef>. The spoil dedicated to God, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.9-2Chr.15.11" parsed="|2Chr|15|9|15|11" passage="2Ch 15:9-11">ver. 9-11</scripRef>. A covenant made with God, and a
law for the punishing of idolaters, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.12-2Chr.15.15" parsed="|2Chr|15|12|15|15" passage="2Ch 15:12-15">ver. 12-15</scripRef>. A reformation at court,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.16" parsed="|2Chr|15|16|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:16">ver. 16</scripRef>. Dedicated things
brought into the house of God, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.18" parsed="|2Chr|15|18|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:18">ver.
18</scripRef>. All well, but that the high places were permitted,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.17" parsed="|2Chr|15|17|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:17">ver. 17</scripRef>. And the effect of
this was great peace, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.19" parsed="|2Chr|15|19|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:19">ver.
19</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiCh.xvi-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15" parsed="|2Chr|15|0|0|0" passage="2Ch 15" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiCh.xvi-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.1-2Chr.15.7" parsed="|2Chr|15|1|15|7" passage="2Ch 15:1-7" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.15.1-2Chr.15.7">
<h4 id="iiCh.xvi-p1.11">God's Message to Asa. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xvi-p1.12">b. c.</span> 945.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xvi-p2">1 And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the
son of Oded:   2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto
him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xvi-p2.1">Lord</span> <i>is</i> with you, while ye be with him;
and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him,
he will forsake you.   3 Now for a long season Israel <i>hath
been</i> without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and
without law.   4 But when they in their trouble did turn unto
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xvi-p2.2">Lord</span> God of Israel, and sought
him, he was found of them.   5 And in those times <i>there
was</i> no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but
great vexations <i>were</i> upon all the inhabitants of the
countries.   6 And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of
city: for God did vex them with all adversity.   7 Be ye
strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work
shall be rewarded.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xvi-p3">It was a great happiness to Israel that
they had prophets among them; yet, while they were thus blessed,
they were strangely addicted to idolatry, whereas, when the spirit
of prophecy had ceased under the second temple, and the canon of
the Old Temple was completed (which was constantly read in their
synagogues), they were pure from idolatry; for the scriptures are
of all other the <i>most sure word of prophecy,</i> and most
effectual, and the church could not be so easily imposed upon by a
counterfeit Bible as by a counterfeit prophet. Here was a prophet
sent to Asa and his army, when they returned victorious from the
war with the Ethiopians, not to compliment them and congratulate
them on their success, but to quicken them to their duty; this is
the proper business of God's ministers, even with princes and the
greatest men. The <i>Spirit of God came</i> upon the prophet
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.1" parsed="|2Chr|15|1|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>), both to
instruct him what he should say and to enable him to say it with
clearness and boldness.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xvi-p4">I. He told them plainly upon what terms
they stood with God. Let them not think that, having obtained this
victory, all was their own for ever; no, he must let them know they
were upon their good behaviour. Let them do well, and it will be
well with them, otherwise not. 1. <i>The Lord is with you while you
are with him.</i> This is both a word of comfort, that those who
keep close to God shall always have his presence with them, and
also a word of caution: "He is <i>with you, while you are with
him,</i> but no longer; you have now a signal token of his
favourable presence with you, but the continuance of it depends
upon your perseverance in the way of your duty." 2. "<i>If you seek
him, he will be found of you.</i> Sincerely desire his favour, and
aim at it, and you shall obtain it. Pray, and you shall prevail. He
never said, nor ever will, <i>Seek you me in vain.</i>" See
<scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.6" parsed="|Heb|11|6|0|0" passage="Heb 11:6">Heb. xi. 6</scripRef>. But, 3. "If you
forsake him and his ordinances, he is not tied to you, but will
certainly forsake you, and then you are undone, your present
triumphs will be no security to you; woe to you when God
departs."</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xvi-p5">II. He set before them the dangerous
consequence of forsaking God and his ordinances, and that there was
no way of having grievances redressed, but by repenting, and
returning unto God. When Israel forsook their duty they were
over-run with a deluge of atheism, impiety, irreligion, and all
irregularity (<scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.3" parsed="|2Chr|15|3|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>),
and were continually embarrassed with vexatious and destroying
wars, foreign and domestic, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.5-2Chr.15.6" parsed="|2Chr|15|5|15|6" passage="2Ch 15:5,6"><i>v.</i> 5, 6</scripRef>. But when their troubles
drove them to God they found it not in vain to seek him, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.4" parsed="|2Chr|15|4|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. But the question is,
What time does this refer to? 1. Some think it looks as far back as
the days of the Judges. <i>A long season</i> ago Israel was
<i>without the true God,</i> for they worshipped false gods; it was
a time of ignorance, for, though they had priests, they had no
teaching priests, though they had elders, yet no law to any
purpose, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.3" parsed="|2Chr|15|3|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. These
were sad times, when they were frequently oppressed by one enemy or
other and grievously harassed by Moabites, Midianites, Ammonites,
and other nations. They were <i>vexed with all adversity</i>
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.6" parsed="|2Chr|15|6|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), yet when, in
their perplexity, they turned to God by repentance, prayer, and
reformation, he raised up deliverers for them. Then was that maxim
often verified, that God is with us while we are with him.
Whatsoever things of this kind were written aforetime were written
for our admonition. 2. Others think it describes the state of the
ten tribes (who were now properly called <i>Israel</i>) in the days
of Asa. "<i>Now,</i> since Jeroboam set up the calves, though he
pretended to honour the God that brought them out of Egypt, yet his
idolatry has brought them to downright infidelity; they are
<i>without the true God,</i>" and no marvel when they were without
teaching priests. Jeroboam's priests were not teachers, and thus
they came to be without law. It is next to impossible that any
thing of religion should be kept up without a preaching ministry.
In those times there was no peace, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.5" parsed="|2Chr|15|5|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. Their war with Judah gave them
frequent alarms; so did the late insurrection of Baasha and other
occasions not mentioned. They provoked God with all iniquity, and
then he <i>vexed them with all adversity;</i> yet, <i>when they
turned to God,</i> he was entreated for them. Let Judah take notice
of this; let their neighbours' harms be their warnings. Give no
countenance to graven images for you see what mischiefs they
produce. 3. Others think the whole passage may be read in the
future tense, and that it looks forward: Hereafter <i>Israel will
be without the true God and a teaching priest,</i> and they will be
destroyed by one judgment after another till they <i>return to
God</i> and <i>seek him.</i> See <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p5.7" osisRef="Bible:Hos.3.4" parsed="|Hos|3|4|0|0" passage="Ho 3:4">Hos.
iii. 4</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xvi-p6">III. Upon this he grounded his exhortation
to prosecute the work of reformation with vigour (<scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.7" parsed="|2Chr|15|7|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>): <i>Be strong, for your
work shall be rewarded.</i> Note, 1. God's work should be done with
diligence and cheerfulness, but will not be done without
resolution. 2. This should quicken us to the work of religion, that
we shall be sure not to lose by it ultimately. It will not go
unrewarded. How should it, when the work is its own reward?</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCh.xvi-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.8-2Chr.15.19" parsed="|2Chr|15|8|15|19" passage="2Ch 15:8-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.15.8-2Chr.15.19">
<h4 id="iiCh.xvi-p6.3">Asa Reforms His Kingdom. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xvi-p6.4">b. c.</span> 940.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xvi-p7">8 And when Asa heard these words, and the
prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the
abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out
of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed
the altar of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xvi-p7.1">Lord</span>, that
<i>was</i> before the porch of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xvi-p7.2">Lord</span>.   9 And he gathered all Judah and
Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh,
and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance,
when they saw that the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xvi-p7.3">Lord</span> his God
<i>was</i> with him.   10 So they gathered themselves together
at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign
of Asa.   11 And they offered unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xvi-p7.4">Lord</span> the same time, of the spoil <i>which</i>
they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.
  12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xvi-p7.5">Lord</span> God of their fathers with all their heart
and with all their soul;   13 That whosoever would not seek
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xvi-p7.6">Lord</span> God of Israel should be put
to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.   14
And they sware unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xvi-p7.7">Lord</span> with a
loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.
  15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn
with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and
he was found of them: and the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xvi-p7.8">Lord</span>
gave them rest round about.   16 And also <i>concerning</i>
Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from
<i>being</i> queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and
Asa cut down her idol, and stamped <i>it,</i> and burnt <i>it</i>
at the brook Kidron.   17 But the high places were not taken
away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all
his days.   18 And he brought into the house of God the things
that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated,
silver, and gold, and vessels.   19 And there was no
<i>more</i> war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of
Asa.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xvi-p8">We are here told what good effect the
foregoing sermon had upon Asa.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xvi-p9">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 abominable, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.4.3" parsed="|1Pet|4|3|0|0" passage="1Pe 4:3">1 Pet. iv.
3</scripRef>) as far as ever his power went. Away with them all. He
also <i>renewed the altar of the Lord,</i> which, it seems, had
gone out of repair, though it was not above thirty-five years since
Solomon's head was laid, who erected it. So soon did these
ceremonial institutions begin to wax old, as things which, in the
fulness of time, must <i>vanish away,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.8.13" parsed="|Heb|8|13|0|0" passage="Heb 8:13">Heb. viii. 13</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xvi-p10">II. He extended his influence further than
before, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.9" parsed="|2Chr|15|9|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. He
summoned a solemn assembly, and particularly brought the strangers
to it, who had come over to him from the ten tribes. 1. Their
coming was a great encouragement to him; for the reason of their
coming was because <i>they saw that the Lord his God was with
him.</i> It is good to be with those that have God with them, to
come into relation to, and contract acquaintance and friendship
with, those that live in the fear and favour of God. <i>We will go
with you, for we have heard that God is with you,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Zech.8.23" parsed="|Zech|8|23|0|0" passage="Zec 8:23">Zech. viii. 23</scripRef>. 2. The cognizance he
took of them, and the invitation he gave them to the general
assembly, were a great encouragement to them. All strangers are to
be helped, but those that cast themselves upon God's good
providence, purely to keep a good conscience, are worthy of double
honour. Asa gave orders for the gathering of them together
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.9" parsed="|2Chr|15|9|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), yet it is
said (<scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.10" parsed="|2Chr|15|10|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>) that
they <i>gathered themselves together,</i> made it their own act, so
forward were they to obey the king's orders. This meeting was held
in the third month, probably at the feast of Pentecost, which was
in that month.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xvi-p11">III. He and his people offered sacrifices
to God, as his share of the spoil they had got, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.11" parsed="|2Chr|15|11|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. Their offering here was
nothing to Solomon's (<scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.7.5" parsed="|2Chr|7|5|0|0" passage="2Ch 7:5"><i>ch.</i> vii.
5</scripRef>), which was owing to the diminution either of their
zeal or of their wealth, or of both. These sacrifices were intended
by way of thanksgiving for the favours they had received, and
supplication for further favours. Prayers and praises are now our
spiritual sacrifices. And, as he took care that the altar should
have its gift, so he took care that the temple should have its
gold: <i>He brought into the house of God all the dedicated
things,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.18" parsed="|2Chr|15|18|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>.
It is honesty to render to God the things that are his. What has
been long designed for him, and long laid by for him, as it should
seem these dedicated things had been, should at length be laid out
for him. Will a man rob God, or make slow payment to him, who is
always ready to do us good?</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xvi-p12">IV. <i>They entered into covenant with
God,</i> repenting that they had violated their engagements to him
and resolving to do better for the future. It is proper for
penitents, for converts, to renew their covenants. It should seem,
the motion came not from Asa, but from the people themselves. Let
every man be a volunteer that covenants with God. <i>Thy people
shall be willing,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.110.3" parsed="|Ps|110|3|0|0" passage="Ps 110:3">Ps. cx.
3</scripRef>. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xvi-p13">1. What was the matter of this covenant.
Nothing but what they were before obliged to; and, though no vow or
promise of theirs could lay any higher obligation upon them than
they were already under from the divine precept, yet it would help
to increase their sense of the obligation, to arm them against
temptations, and would be a testimony to the equity and goodness of
the precept. And, by joining all together in this covenant, they
strengthened the hands one of another. Two things they engaged
themselves to:—(1.) That they would diligently seek God
themselves, seek his precepts, seek his favour. What is religion
but seeking God, enquiring after him, applying to him, upon all
occasions? We shall not enjoy him till we come to heaven; while we
are here we must continue seeking. They would seek God as the
<i>God of their fathers,</i> in the way that their fathers sought
him and in dependence upon the promise made to their fathers; and
they would do it <i>with all their heart</i> and <i>with all their
soul,</i> for those only seek God acceptably and successfully that
are inward with him, intent upon him, and entire for him, in their
seeking him. We make nothing of our religion if we do not make
heart-work of it. God will have all the heart or none; and, when a
jewel of such inestimable value as the divine favour is to be
found, it is worth while to seek it <i>with all our soul.</i> (2.)
That they would, to the utmost of their power, oblige others to
seek him, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.13" parsed="|2Chr|15|13|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>.
They agreed that <i>whosoever would not seek the Lord God of
Israel</i> (that is, would either worship other gods or refuse to
join with them in the worship of the true God, that was either an
obstinate idolater or an obstinate atheist) he should be put to
death. This was no new law of their own making, but an order to put
in execution that law of God to this purport, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.17.2-Deut.17.5" parsed="|Deut|17|2|17|5" passage="De 17:2-5">Deut. xvii. 2</scripRef>, &amp;c. If this law had been
duly executed, there would not have been so many abominable idols
found in Judah and Benjamin, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.8" parsed="|2Chr|15|8|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>. Whether men may now, under the gospel, be compelled
by such methods as these to seek the Lord is justly questioned; for
the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, and yet mighty.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xvi-p14">2. In what manner they made this covenant.
(1.) With great cheerfulness, and all possible expressions of joy:
<i>The swore unto the Lord;</i> not secretly, as if they were
either ashamed of what they did or afraid of binding themselves too
fast to him, but with a loud voice, to express their own zeal and
to animate one another; and they all rejoiced at the oath,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.14-2Chr.15.15" parsed="|2Chr|15|14|15|15" passage="2Ch 15:14,15"><i>v.</i> 14, 15</scripRef>. They
did not swear to God with reluctancy (as the poor debtor confesses
a judgment to his creditor), but with all the pleasure and
satisfaction imaginable, as the bridegroom plights his troth to the
bride in the marriage covenant. Every honest Israelite was pleased
with his own engagements to God, and they were all pleased with one
another's. They rejoiced in it as a hopeful expedient to prevent
their apostasy from God and a happy indication of God's presence
with them. Note, The times of renewing our covenant with God should
be times of rejoicing, and national reformation cannot but give
general satisfaction to all that are good. It is an honour and
happiness to be in bonds to God. (2.) They did it with great
sincerity, zeal and resolution: <i>They swore to God with all their
hearts,</i> and <i>sought him with their whole desire.</i> The
Israelites were now in an extraordinarily good frame. O that there
had always been such a heart in them! This comes in as the reason
why they rejoiced so much in what they did: it was because they
were hearty in it. Note, Those only experience the pleasure and
comfort of religion that are sincere and upright in it. What is
done in hypocrisy is a mere drudgery. But, if God has the heart, we
have the joy.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xvi-p15">V. We are told what was the effect of this
their solemn covenanting with God. 1. God did well for them:
<i>He</i> was <i>found of them, and gave them rest round about</i>
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.15" parsed="|2Chr|15|15|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>), so that
there was no war for a long time after (<scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.19" parsed="|2Chr|15|19|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>), no open general war, though
there were constant bickerings between Judah and Israel upon the
frontiers, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.15.16" parsed="|1Kgs|15|16|0|0" passage="1Ki 15:16">1 Kings xv. 16</scripRef>.
National piety procures national blessings. 2. They did, on the
whole, well for him. They carried on the reformation so far that
Maachah the queen-mother was deposed for idolatry and her idol
destroyed, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.16" parsed="|2Chr|15|16|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>.
This was bravely done of Asa, that he would not connive at idolatry
in those that were nearest to him, like Levi, that <i>said to his
father and mother, I have not seen him,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p15.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.33.9" parsed="|Deut|33|9|0|0" passage="De 33:9">Deut. xxxiii. 9</scripRef>. Asa knows he must honour God
more than his grandmother, and dares not leave an idol in an
apartment of his palace while he is destroying idols in the cities
of his kingdom. We may suppose this Maachah was so far convinced of
her sin that she was willing to subscribe the association mentioned
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p15.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.12-2Chr.15.13" parsed="|2Chr|15|12|15|13" passage="2Ch 15:12,13"><i>v.</i> 12, 13</scripRef>),
binding herself to seek the Lord, and therefore was not put to
death as those were that refused to sign it, great as well as
small, women as well as men: probably it was with an eye to her
that <i>women</i> were specified. But because she had been an
idolater Asa thought fit to divest her of the dignity and authority
she had, and probably he banished her the court and confined her to
privacy, lest she should influence and infect others. But the
reformation was not complete; the high places were not all taken
away, though many of them were, <scripRef id="iiCh.xvi-p15.7" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.3 Bible:2Chr.15.5" parsed="|2Chr|15|3|0|0;|2Chr|15|5|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:3,5"><i>ch.</i> xiv. 3, 5</scripRef>. Those in the cities
were removed, but not those in the cities of Judah, but not those
in the cities of Israel which were reduced to the house of David;
or those that were used in the service of false gods, but not those
that were used in the service of the God of Israel. These he
connived at, and yet his heart was perfect. There may be defects in
some particular duties where yet the heart, in the man, is upright
with God. Sincerity is something less than sinless perfection.</p>
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