Asa vs. Zerah the Ethiopian

Illustration of Asa vs. Zerah the Ethiopian
Facing a million-man Ethiopian army, King Asa prayed one of Scripture's shortest battlefield prayers: Lord, there is no one besides you to help. God routed the invaders completely.

In the days of King Asa, who had removed foreign altars and sought the Lord, Zerah the Ethiopian advanced against Judah with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots. Asa prayed for divine help, acknowledging that the battle belonged to God, who then struck the Ethiopian forces and granted Judah a resounding victory as the enemy fled. The people of Judah pursued their foes to Gerar, seizing great plunder and livestock, which demonstrated God's faithfulness to those who trust in Him. This triumph secured peace for the land and highlighted in Scripture the importance of relying on divine power over human strength.

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Details

Era
Divided Kingdom
Category
Divided Kingdom
Participants
Judah vs. Ethiopian army
Outcome
Judah victorious through divine help
Divine Intervention
Yes

Key Chapters

2 Chronicles 14 Asa's Reforms 3 min read This passage reminds us that calling on the Lord brings victory, encouraging our...

Key Passages

The Battle

2 Chronicles 14:9-15

This passage reminds us that calling on the Lord brings victory, encouraging our faith in His mighty deliverance.

A9nd there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.

10 Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 11 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. 12 So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. 13 And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil. 14 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. 15 They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.

Explore Related

Characters 1

Asa Asa served as the third king of Judah and distinguished himself through sweeping religious reforms thatโ€ฆ

Themes 3

Justice The God of the Bible is passionately just - defending the widow, the orphan, and the oppressed whileโ€ฆ Faithfulness Great is thy faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see. God's faithfulness spans every generation,โ€ฆ Fear of God The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This is not terror but awe - the recognition that God isโ€ฆ

Did You Know?

1

Zerah's army of one million is one of the largest armies mentioned in the Bible.

2

Asa's prayer before battle is one of the shortest and most desperate in Scripture.

3

After this victory, Asa reigned in peace for the next 20 years.