Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 16:7
At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa of Judah and told him, “Because you have 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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Hanani the seer confronts King Asa of Judah immediately after Asa dismantles Baasha’s fortifications to reinforce Geba and Mizpah. The seer addresses the king directly regarding his recent diplomatic and military decisions.
The words — The term הָרֹאֶה (ha-ro'eh) literally means "the seer," identifying Hanani’s prophetic role as one who perceives divine judgment. The verb בָּא (ba') translates to "he came," marking the deliberate timing of the rebuke.
The thread — This confrontation follows the earlier prophecy by Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha in 1 Kings 16:1 and anticipates his later warning to Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 19:2. The warning against trusting human rulers also aligns with the caution in Psalms 146:3.
Why it lands — The text states that reliance on the king of Aram rather than the LORD resulted in the enemy army escaping. It requires the reader to evaluate whether their security depends on political alliances or divine intervention.
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 at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 16:1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha, saying:
- 2 Chronicles 19:2 Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.
- Psalms 146:3 Put not your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save.
- Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 20:34 As for the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, from beginning to end, they are indeed written in the Chronicles of Jehu son of Hanani, which are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel.
- 2 Chronicles 32:7 “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him.
- Ephesians 1:12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory.
- 2 Kings 18:5 Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. No king of Judah was like him, either before him or after him.
- 1 Chronicles 5:20 And because they cried out to God in battle, they were helped against their enemies, and the Hagrites and all their allies were delivered into their hands. Because they put their trust in God, He answered their prayers.
- 2 Chronicles 13:18 Thus the Israelites were subdued at that time, and the men of Judah prevailed because they relied on the LORD, the God of their fathers.