1 kings 15:23 - Now the rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? But in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.

Generated Verse: 1 kings 15:23

What does "1 kings 15:23" mean?


This verse from 1 Kings 15:23 essentially serves as a transition and conclusion to the account of Asa's reign. Let's break it down:

"Now the rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built..." This acknowledges that the biblical account is not exhaustive. There's much more to Asa's reign, including his military strength, achievements, and construction projects, than what is explicitly described in the Bible.

"...aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" This is a reference to a more detailed historical record. "The book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" was likely a written historical source available at the time the book of Kings was written. It indicates that the author of Kings drew from, but did not fully reproduce, that larger source. This was a common practice in ancient historiography.

"But in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet." This introduces a negative element at the end of Asa's life. Despite his overall righteous reign (as described earlier), Asa suffered from a foot disease in his old age. The specific nature of the disease is not specified, but it was significant enough to be mentioned.

Overall Meaning:

Incomplete Account: The verse makes it clear that the Bible provides a selective, not exhaustive, account of history. There are other sources that contain more information.
Transition: It serves as a way to transition the narrative from Asa's reign to the next king.
Flawed Hero: While Asa is presented as a mostly good king, the ending acknowledges his human frailty and suffering, reminding us that even righteous leaders are not immune to hardship. The disease in his feet could also be interpreted as a consequence of his later failings, perhaps a divine judgment for not fully trusting in God in his later years (a point emphasized in 2 Chronicles 16).

Significance:

The verse highlights the following points:

Historical Sources: The Bible is not intended to be a comprehensive history book, but it draws on other historical sources.
Human Imperfection: Even generally righteous figures in the Bible have flaws and suffer.
Divine Sovereignty: The inclusion of Asa's disease at the end of his reign serves as a reminder that God is sovereign over all aspects of life, including health and illness.

In essence, this verse encapsulates the narrative of Asa's reign, hinting at a more detailed historical record and acknowledging the imperfections and ultimate mortality of even a largely righteous king. It also provides a lead-in to the reign of his successor.

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