2 Chronicles 16

Would they defraud in their dealings, use false weights, if they believed the power of God; that he could provide for them? 2. By their depending more upon second causes than upon God (2 Chronicles 16:12). In his disease he sought not to the Lord but to the physician.

(Acts 7:54): When they heard this they were cut to the heart, and gnashed on Stephen with their teeth. (2 Chronicles 16:10): Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison-house. Pride and guilt make men [reconstructed: fret] at the Word.

And, here we must be admonished, to beware of the bad practices of the world, in this case: the most men in their sickness, first seek to the Physicians; and if that fail them, they send for the Minister. This was King Asa his practice, for which he is branded to all posterity,…

But it is a fond imagination; at least the argument from these words for it, is so. For besides that the Scripture calls all sins by the name of errors (Psalms 19:12; Psalms 25:7), and the worst, the most provoking of all sins, is expressed by erring in heart (Psalms 95:10), and…

It is true, there were some other reforming Kings in Judah; but none like these who were the first three, for the rest had great blemishes. Asa was a reforming King, but there is one black mark upon him, for he persecuted the Prophet Hanani, for reproving him; and he oppressed s…

2 Chronicles 16:9. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him. In the beginning of the chapter you find Baasha king of Israel raising walls about, and fortifying Ramah, a pla…

But when men in such a state are careless, bold and negligent, so as that if they repeat not the same sin, they are easily hurried into others. Thus was it with Asa; he was wroth with the prophet that came to him with a divine message, and smote him, and cast him in prison, for…

From hence cometh it, that we fear not in greatest dangers (2 Kings 6:16; Psalm 3:7; Psalm 27:3); that in the time of affliction, we are patient (Proverbs 20:22; Hebrews 10:33); without all murmuring to hold our peace (Psalm 39:10); receiving them as from a father (Job 1:21; Psa…

2. Christ's omniscience is one of his chiefest excellencies, that qualifies him for the good and comfort of his people, and does exceedingly commend him to them above all others: it is a very present comfort to his people, especially in the time of trouble, that their beloved kn…

Without which no other work can be done; it is to be feared that very many have little knowledge of the main enemy, that they carry about them in their bosoms. This makes them ready to justify themselves, and to be impatient of reproof or admonition, not knowing that they are in…

Thus he speaks of both (Song of Solomon 2:14): My dove let me see your countenance, let me hear your voice, for sweet is your voice, and your countenance is comely. 2. His good providence and readiness to do them good, to supply their wants, and order their affairs for them, to…

The care of his providence is over all the creatures he has made; God has an inspection over them, to provide necessaries for them; much more over his people. His eyes run to and fro, to find them out in all the places of their dispersion; and he does exercise his power for thei…

Now, how will God manifest this delight? In his providence (2 Chronicles 16:9): The eyes of the Lord run to and fro, that he may show himself strong in the behalf of those whose hearts are upright with him. He looks up and down in the world to find out such persons to do them go…

The heart of Ahab was inordinately transported with a venomous hatred against Micaiah, and his message, though it was no other counsel than the Lord had revealed, and he charged him to speak as in his name; yet it is no wise pleasing to his palate, and so he speaks of it, Did no…

Second, it makes us trust to secondary causes, which is to set the creature in the room of God. 2 Chronicles 16:12: Asa in his disease sought not to the Lord but to the physicians. He relied more on the physician than upon God.

So the sword did not depart from David's house because of his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. And Asa: in 2 Chronicles 16, the prophet tells him: 'From now on you will have wars, because you did not rely on the Lord.' I could give a hundred such instances.

4 Neither does God cover only, but in time cure also sincerity's imperfections; giving it strength and daily increase of grace to prevail against them. For the eyes of the Lord behold all the earth to show himself strong with them that are of upright heart (2 Chronicles 16:9). H…

And therefore he sees the innocence and sincerity of the one, the fraud and hypocrisy of the other, notwithstanding all their goodly words. The eyes of the Lord look down from heaven to show himself strong to them that are of a perfect heart, namely in the end at least, even whe…

1st Commandment: You shall have no other gods, etc. He breaks this commandment: who does not know the true God (Jeremiah 4:22); who denies God in his heart by denying his presence, justice, mercy, etc. (Psalm 14:1); who hates God and shows it by disobedience (Exodus 20:5; Romans…

It is a pity any good man should storm at a just rebuke of sin; that such a precious ointment as is proper to heal, should be considered to break his head: but yet flesh will be tender and touchy; even in good men. Asa was a good man, and yet he was wroth with the prophet who re…

For because he sought to the physicians, he is blamed — yet to seek to physicians is lawful, but the Spirit of God blames his seeking to the physicians. And says (2 Chronicles 16:12): He sought not the Lord in his sickness; and the reason is given [non-Latin text] because he was…

The sword of God, take it as it lies in the word, and it is like a sword in the scabbard, and the exposition is but the brandishing of it; but when application is made, that you are the man that has done this, not to endure this, is an argument of a carnal heart, though sometime…

Let but the heart be kept clean, that in his heart he does not close with any wickedness, and desires to be kept clean even from secret faults; then shall the words of his mouth, and the thoughts of his heart be acceptable in the sight of God; there will ever be life in such a m…

And to friends in time of need? Thus he makes many to cast away the shield of Faith, their confidence in God, and to trust to outward means, as Asa (2 Chronicles 16:12). Answer: All means are subordinate to God's Providence, and guided thereby: therefore in the use of them we mu…

Thus Haman, merely in regard of private disgrace, grows to great indignation against Mordecai (Esther 3:5). Thus Asa was angry with the prophet Hanani, because he thought it a discredit to him, to be reproved at his hand (2 Chronicles 16:10). And in this sort, were the Jews fill…