John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. And he built fenced cities in Judah , etc.] For his defence against the kingdom of Israel and other nations, as Rehoboam had done before him; and which might have been demolished by Shishak king of Egypt, when he took them, ( 2 Chronicles 11:5-12 12:4) for the land had rest ; according to the Targum, the land of Israel rested, and gave no disturbance to the kingdom of Judah, not having recovered the blow given them by Abijah; but it is rather to be understood of the land of Judah, which, as it did not attempt the reduction of the ten tribes, so it was neither attacked by them, nor any other enemy: and he had no war in those years; in the ten years mentioned, ( 2 Chronicles 14:1), neither with Israel nor any other nation: because the Lord had given him rest; that he might be at leisure to do the above things; all rest is from the Lord, civil, spiritual, and eternal.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- 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' sight. We find by experience that it is good to seek the Lord; it give 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 the enjoyed; and concluded with them that they must not be idle, no secure. A formidable army of Ethiopians invaded Asa's kingdom. Thi evil came upon them, that their faith in God might be tried. Asa' prayer is short, but it is the real language of faith and expectatio from God. When we go forth in God's name, we cannot but prosper, an all things work together for the good of those whom he favours _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ויבן1129 ערי5892 מצורה4694 ביהודה3063 כי3588 שׁקטה8252 הארץ776 ואין369 עמו5973 מלחמה4421 בשׁנים8141 האלה428 כי3588 הניח5117 יהוה׃3068
