John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet , etc.] Some think that besides the above words of Azariah the son of Oded, a prophecy of Oded his father was related by him, though not recorded; but rather Oded here is the same with the son of Oded; and so the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions read Azariah the son of Oded; and so does the Alexandrian copy of the Septuagint version: he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin ; which were abominable to God, and all good men; besides the images and statues he had broken before, he removed other idols that remained, being animated and emboldened by the speech of the prophet: and out of the cities which he had taken from Mount Ephraim : the same which his father Abijah had taken from Jeroboam, ( 2 Chronicles 13:19) and which perhaps, upon the approach of the Ethiopians, revolted from Asa, or were restored by them to Jeroboam, and Which Asa retook upon his conquest of them: and renewed the altar of the Lord before the porch of the Lord ; the altar of burnt offering, which had never been repaired since it was made by Solomon; perhaps he anew overlaid it with brass that being worn out, or become very thin in some places.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The people make a solemn covenant with God.
--The work of complete reformation appeared so difficult, that Asa ha not courage to attempt it, till assured of Divine assistance an acceptance. He and his people offered sacrifices to God; thanksgivin for the favours they had received, and supplication for furthe favours. Prayers and praises are now our spiritual sacrifices. The people, of their own will, covenanted to seek the Lord, each for himself, with earnestness. What is religion but seeking God, inquirin after him, applying to him upon all occasions? We make nothing of ou religion, if we do not make heart-work of it; God will have all the heart, or none. Our devotedness to God our Saviour, should be avowe and shown in the most solemn and public manner. What is done in hypocrisy is a mere drudgery _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew וכשׁמע8085 אסא609 הדברים1697 האלה428 והנבואה5016 עדד5752 הנביא5030 התחזק2388 ויעבר5674 השׁקוצים8251 מכל3605 ארץ776 יהודה3063 ובנימן1144 ומן4480 הערים5892 אשׁר834 לכד3920 מהר2022 אפרים669 ויחדשׁ2318 את853 מזבח4196 יהוה3068 אשׁר834 לפני6440 אולם197 יהוה׃3068
