1 Kings 15:9-15·~1 min

Asa Reigns in Judah

Asa comes to the throne in Judah and is introduced with the rare judgment that he does what is right in the eyes of the LORD, like David.

I⁹n the twentieth year of Jeroboam’s reign over Israel, Asa became king of Judah, ¹⁰and he reigned in Jerusalem forty-one years. His grandmother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom. ¹¹And Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done.

His reform removes shrine prostitution, tears down inherited idols, and even deposes Maacah from royal status because of her Asherah image.

¹²He banished the male shrine prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. ¹³He also removed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made a detestable Asherah pole. Asa chopped down the pole and burned it in the Kidron Valley.

Though the high places remain, Asa's heart stays fully devoted to the LORD, and he brings dedicated treasures into the house of the LORD.

¹⁴The high places were not removed, but Asa’s heart was fully devoted to the LORD all his days. ¹⁵And he brought into the house of the LORD the silver and gold and the articles that he and his father had dedicated.

Section summaryAsa's reign is described as right in the sight of the LORD, and his reform reaches both public worship and his own household. Even with the high places still standing, the chapter presents his heart as wholly set toward the LORD and his rule as a contrast to what came before.

Role in the chapterThis section provides the chapter's clearest positive example in Judah. It shows what covenant faithfulness looks like in a king without pretending the reform is complete.