King Asa & the Ethiopians 10:28:25 10.06 AM

Story by Gail Nobles
Cover Illus. by Gail Nobles

Asa, a notable king of Judah, came to power during a turbulent time. He was the great-grandson of King David, ruling for 41 years and praised for doing "what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord" You’ll find that in (2 Chronicles 14:2). Asa became king in the 20th year of Jeroboam's reign, leading from Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. He removed his mother, Maachah, from being queen because she made an idol in a grove. Asa destroyed her idol and burned it by the Kidron brook according to (1 kings 15:13). His lineage included his father, Abijah, and grandfather, Rehoboam, establishing a strong connection to David's legacy, which is emphasized in 1 Kings 15:11.

Geographically, the Kingdom of Judah was located in the southern region of the Levant, covering parts of modern-day Israel. It featured the rugged Judean Mountains and stretched from the arid lands of the Judaean Desert in the east to the fertile Shephelah hills in the west. Major cities like Jerusalem and Hebron were crucial to the kingdom, which spanned from the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea to areas around Gezer in the north and Beersheba in the south.

A significant event during King Asa's reign involved a military threat from the Ethiopians. In 2 Chronicles 14:11, the Bible recounts how Asa prayed to God for help when Zerah, the Ethiopian general, launched an attack with an overwhelming force of 1,000,000 soldiers and 300 chariots. This exceeded the size of Asa's army, placing Judah in a precarious position.
Despite being outnumbered, Asa's faith in God proved powerful. According to the biblical account, God intervened and routed the Ethiopian army, causing them to flee in defeat. This victory not only secured Asa's reign but also reinforced the importance of faith and reliance on God in times of hardship.

King Asa's story serves as a reminder of the strength found in faith, even when facing seemingly insurmountable odds. His dedication to leading a righteous life and trusting in divine support left a lasting impact on the Kingdom of Judah.
I’m Gail Nobles, and you’re listening to Mapps.

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