“So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.”
Cross references: : 1 Kings 15:8
“For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: images: Heb. statues”
Which were planted contrary to the Law, Deut. 16:21 .
“Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. images: Heb. sun images”
He showeth that the rest and quietness of kingdoms standeth in abolishing idolatry, and advancing true religion.
“Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.”
While we have the full government thereof.
“And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.”
Which was a city in Judah, Josh. 15:44 , where Michaiah the Prophet was born. The king of Ethiopia, or Egypt.
“And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee. man: or, mortal man”
Thus the children of God neither trust in their own power or policy, neither fear the strength and subtlety of their enemies, but consider the cause and see whether their enterprises tend to God’s glory, and thereupon assure themselves of the victory by him, which is only Almighty, and can turn all flesh into dust with the breath of his mouth. Or, against many, without power. 1 Sam. 14:6
“And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.”
The Lord had stricken them with fear.