Introduction:
Asa, the third king of the Kingdom of Judah, is a notable figure in the biblical narrative for his initial faithfulness to God and subsequent backsliding. His reign is chronicled in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, where he is depicted as a king who began with zeal for the Lord but later faltered in his faith.

Early Reign and Faithfulness:
Asa ascended to the throne following the reign of his father, Abijah. His early years as king were marked by religious reforms and a commitment to the worship of Yahweh. Asa is commended for his efforts to rid Judah of idolatry and restore the worship of the true God. In 2 Chronicles 14:2-5 , it is recorded, "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."

Asa's reliance on God is further exemplified during the invasion by Zerah the Cushite. Facing a formidable army, Asa cried out to the Lord for help, demonstrating his dependence on divine intervention. The Lord granted him victory, as noted in 2 Chronicles 14:11-12 : "Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God, 'O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the mighty and those without strength. 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.' So the LORD struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah, and the Cushites fled."

Covenant Renewal:
In the fifteenth year of his reign, Asa led the people of Judah in a covenant renewal ceremony, reaffirming their commitment to seek the Lord wholeheartedly. 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 and sought Him with all their soul. And He was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest on every side."

Backsliding and Reliance on Human Alliances:
Despite his early devotion, Asa's later years were marked by a significant departure from his reliance on God. In the thirty-sixth year of his reign, Asa faced the threat of Baasha, king of Israel. Instead of seeking the Lord's guidance, Asa turned to Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, for assistance, forming a political alliance. This act of reliance on human strength rather than divine support is recorded in 2 Chronicles 16:2-3 : "So Asa withdrew silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace and sent it to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus, saying, 'Let there be a treaty between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.'"

The prophet Hanani rebuked Asa for his lack of faith, reminding him of God's past deliverance and the importance of relying on the Lord. Hanani's words are recorded in 2 Chronicles 16:7-9 : "At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, 'Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter; from now on, therefore, you will be at war.'"

Final Years and Illness:
Asa's response to Hanani's rebuke was one of anger and oppression. He imprisoned the prophet and began to oppress some of the people. In his final years, Asa suffered from a severe foot disease. Even in his illness, he did not seek the Lord but relied on physicians, as noted in 2 Chronicles 16:12 : "In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe. Yet even in his illness he did not seek the LORD, but only the physicians."

Legacy:
Asa's life serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of backsliding and the consequences of relying on human strength over divine guidance. His reign, which began with fervent devotion, ended in spiritual decline, illustrating the importance of steadfast faith and reliance on God throughout one's life.2 Chronicles 16:7-9
And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him, Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD your God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of your hand.
Nave's Topical Index

The Perfect Heart.
... what a picture of backsliders. ... st thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate
the Lord?" No man ever did this without being sorely whipped, as poor Asa was. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter viii the perfect heart.htm

What does it mean to backslide? | GotQuestions.org

Is a backsliding Christian still saved? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about the Christian Life (All) | GotQuestions.org

Backslider: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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