2 Chron. 16 Asa maketh a league with the Syrians against the king of Israel, 2 Chron. 16:1–6; for which the prophet reproving him, he putteth him into prison, 2 Chron. 16:7–10. He is sick, and seeketh to the physicians, and not to God: his death and burial, 2 Chron. 16:11–14.

Of the reign of Asa; or, of the kingdom of Asa, i.e. of the kingdom of Judah, which was now Asa’s kingdom; or from the time of the division of the two kingdoms. Rehoboam reigned seventeen years, 2 Chron. 12:13; Abijah three years, 2 Chron. 13:2; Asa had now reigned fifteen years, 2 Chron.

This verse, and 2 Chron. 16:3–6, are explained 1 Kings 15:18;c.

And so reserved to be a scourge to thy kingdom and posterity hereafter; whereas if he had joined with Baasha against thee, thou shouldst have overthrown them both, and prevented all that mischief which that monarch will do one day to thy family.

The Lubims; either the Libyans in Africa; or another people, possibly descended from them, but now seated in some part of Arabia.

Whose heart is perfect, i.e. upright and sincere, as thine is not. Object. The heart of Asa is said to be perfect all his days, 2 Chron. 15:17. Answ. He was perfect and sincere in the things there spoken of, in the establishment of the outward worship of God; but not in the inward worship of God,…

In a prison-house, or, in the house of the stocks; in which the feet, or, as some of the Hebrews say, the necks of the prisoners were locked up. See Jer. 20:2, Jer. 29:26.

He did not humble himself before God, nor earnestly desire his help, but put all his confidence in the skill and faithfulness of his physicians, of whom, it seems, he had great experience.

Laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours, as the manner of those nations was. See Gen. 50:2, 2 Chron. 21:19. They made a very great burning, to wit, of precious spices; thereby testifying their thankfulness for many benefits which they enjoyed under his government, and their respect…