Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 14:6
Because the land was at peace, Asa built fortified cities in Judah. In those days no one made war with him, because the LORD had given him rest.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator records King Asa’s construction projects in Judah immediately after his removal of idolatrous altars. This moment follows the declaration that the kingdom was at peace under his rule.
The words — שָקְטָה (shaqetah) literally means "it was quiet" or "at peace," describing the land’s condition. מְצוּרָה (metzurah) translates as "fortification" or "stronghold," defining the fortified cities Asa built.
The thread — The motif of divine rest appears in Judges 3:11 with Othniel, 1 Chronicles 22:9 regarding Solomon’s reign, and 2 Chronicles 15:15 where Judah seeks God earnestly. These passages trace a consistent pattern of peace following covenant fidelity.
Why it lands — The text states that military security and urban development occurred because the LORD gave Asa rest. It requires the reader to note the direct sequence: spiritual reform precedes national stability, which then enables practical construction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the Lord had given him rest.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 15:15 And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn it with all their heart. They had sought Him earnestly, and He was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.
- 1 Chronicles 22:9 But a son will be born to you who will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will grant to Israel peace and quiet during his reign.
- Judges 3:11 So the land had rest for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.
- Judges 3:30 So Moab was subdued under the hand of Israel that day, and the land had rest for eighty years.
- Judges 5:31 So may all Your enemies perish, O LORD! But may those who love You shine like the sun at its brightest.” And the land had rest for forty years.
- 1 Kings 5:4 But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or crisis.
- 2 Chronicles 11:5 Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and he built up cities for defense in Judah.
- Job 34:29 But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation,
- Psalms 46:9 He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire.
- Joshua 23:1 A long time after the LORD had given Israel rest from all the enemies around them, when Joshua was old and well along in years,