Asa, the third king of the Kingdom of Judah, reigned for 41 years, from approximately 911 to 870 BC. He was the son of Abijah and the grandson of Rehoboam, succeeding his father to the throne. Asa is noted for his religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh in Judah, as recorded in the biblical books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles.

Religious Reforms

Asa's reign is marked by a significant return to the worship of the LORD, as he sought to eradicate idolatry and pagan practices from Judah. The biblical account in 1 Kings 15:11-12 states, "And Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done. He banished the male shrine prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made." Asa's commitment to purging idolatry extended to deposing his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made an obscene image for Asherah (1 Kings 15:13).

In 2 Chronicles 14:2-5 , Asa's reforms are further detailed: "Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God. He removed the foreign altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and chopped down the Asherah poles. He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandments. He also removed the high places and incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and under him the kingdom was at peace."

Military Success and Reliance on God

Asa's reign was also characterized by military success, attributed to his reliance on God. Early in his reign, Asa faced a formidable threat from Zerah the Cushite, who marched against Judah with a vast army. Asa's response was to seek the LORD's help, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 14:11 : "Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: 'O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let a mere mortal prevail against You.'" The LORD granted Asa victory, and the Cushites were defeated.

Covenant Renewal

In the fifteenth year of Asa's reign, he led the people of Judah in a covenant renewal ceremony, reaffirming their commitment to seek the LORD with all their heart and soul. This event is described in 2 Chronicles 15:12-15 : "Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul. And whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, would be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman. They took an oath to the LORD with a loud voice, with shouting, trumpets, and rams’ horns. And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart. They sought Him earnestly, and He was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side."

Later Years and Decline

Despite his early faithfulness, Asa's later years were marked by a decline in his reliance on God. When faced with the threat of Baasha, king of Israel, Asa sought an alliance with Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, rather than relying on the LORD. This decision was rebuked by the prophet Hanani, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 16:7-9 . Asa's response to the rebuke was one of anger, and he oppressed some of the people at that time.

In his final years, Asa suffered from a severe foot disease, yet he did not seek the LORD's help but relied solely on physicians (2 Chronicles 16:12). Asa's reign, while beginning with fervent devotion and reform, serves as a reminder of the importance of consistent reliance on God throughout one's life.