These cities.--The "fenced cities" of last verse. Their names are unknown. Geba and Mizpah were fortified by Asa; but that was after the war with Baasha, which began in the twenty-sixth year of Asa (1 Kings 15:33); see 2 Chronicles 16:6. A general system of defence, like that of Rehoboam, who fortified as many as fifteen cities, seems to be indicated.
Walls.--Awall.
Gates (doors) and bars.--1 Samuel 23:7, and 2 Chronicles 8:5, supra, where "bars" is, as usual, singular, bariach. Here it is plural.
While the land is yet before us.--Is open to us, free from hostile occupation. The phrase is apparently borrowed from Genesis 13:9. (Is yet, 'odenn-, masculine pronoun, instead of feminine; probably a clerical error). Omit while, and put a stop at bars. "The land is still before us, for we have sought the Lord," appears to be the connection of thought.
So they built and prospered--i.e., built prosperously, without let or hindrance.
Verse 7. - We have sought him, and he hath given us rest. In three successive verses the blessings of peace and quiet, and no war and rest, are recorded (Isaiah 26:1; Zechariah 2:5).
14:1-15 Asa's piety, He strengthens his kingdom. - Asa aimed at pleasing God, and studied to approve himself to him. Happy those that walk by this rule, not to do that which is right in their own eyes, or in the eye of the world, but which is so in God's sight. We find by experience that it is good to seek the Lord; it gives us rest; while we pursue the world, we meet with nothing but vexation. Asa consulted with his people how to make a good use of the peace they enjoyed; and concluded with them that they must not be idle, nor secure. A formidable army of Ethiopians invaded Asa's kingdom. This evil came upon them, that their faith in God might be tried. Asa's prayer is short, but it is the real language of faith and expectation from God. When we go forth in God's name, we cannot but prosper, and all things work together for the good of those whom he favours.
Therefore he said unto Judah,.... To the nobles and principal men of the kingdom:
let us build these cities; which he, no doubt, particularly mentioned by name, and pointed at; that is, repair and fortify them, and put them into a better condition of defence:
and make about them walls and towers, gates and bars; which are always made to fortified places, to protect the inhabitants, and keep out an enemy:
while the land is yet before us; in our power, no enemy in it, nor any to hinder or molest:
because we have sought the Lord our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side; had set up his pure worship, reformed abuses in it, and removed idolatry from it, and closely attended to the service of the sanctuary, which was well pleasing to God; the happy effect of which they experienced, rest from all their enemies round about them:
so that they built, and prospered; they began, and went on, and finished, there being nothing to hinder them.
These cities.--The "fenced cities" of last verse. Their names are unknown. Geba and Mizpah were fortified by Asa; but that was after the war with Baasha, which began in the twenty-sixth year of Asa (1 Kings 15:33); see 2 Chronicles 16:6. A general system of defence, like that of Rehoboam, who fortified as many as fifteen cities, seems to be indicated.
Walls.--A wall.
Gates (doors) and bars.--1 Samuel 23:7, and 2 Chronicles 8:5, supra, where "bars" is, as usual, singular, bariach. Here it is plural.
While the land is yet before us.--Is open to us, free from hostile occupation. The phrase is apparently borrowed from Genesis 13:9. (Is yet, 'odenn-, masculine pronoun, instead of feminine; probably a clerical error). Omit while, and put a stop at bars. "The land is still before us, for we have sought the Lord," appears to be the connection of thought.
So they built and prospered--i.e., built prosperously, without let or hindrance.
let us build these cities; which he, no doubt, particularly mentioned by name, and pointed at; that is, repair and fortify them, and put them into a better condition of defence:
and make about them walls and towers, gates and bars; which are always made to fortified places, to protect the inhabitants, and keep out an enemy:
while the land is yet before us; in our power, no enemy in it, nor any to hinder or molest:
because we have sought the Lord our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side; had set up his pure worship, reformed abuses in it, and removed idolatry from it, and closely attended to the service of the sanctuary, which was well pleasing to God; the happy effect of which they experienced, rest from all their enemies round about them:
so that they built, and prospered; they began, and went on, and finished, there being nothing to hinder them.