They also attacked the tents of the herdsmenThis phrase indicates a continuation of military action. The context is King Asa's victory over the Cushites, a significant event in Judah's history. The "tents of the herdsmen" suggests a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle, common in the ancient Near East. Herdsmen were often vulnerable to raids, as their wealth was in livestock. This action reflects the spoils of war, a common practice in ancient times, where victors would seize goods and livestock from the defeated.
and carried off many sheep and camels.
Sheep and camels were valuable assets in the ancient world, representing wealth and sustenance. Sheep provided wool, meat, and milk, while camels were essential for transportation and trade, especially in desert regions. The mention of camels indicates the geographical context, likely involving trade routes or desert fringes. This act of carrying off livestock signifies a complete victory and the transfer of wealth and resources from the defeated to the victors.
Then they returned to Jerusalem.
The return to Jerusalem signifies the conclusion of the military campaign and the restoration of peace and order. Jerusalem, as the political and spiritual center of Judah, was the logical place for the army to regroup and celebrate their victory. This return also symbolizes the protection and blessing of God over Judah, as Jerusalem was the site of the Temple, representing God's presence among His people. The successful campaign and safe return would have reinforced Asa's leadership and the nation's faith in divine support.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
AsaKing of Judah who led the nation in a period of religious reform and military success. His reign is marked by a return to the worship of the LORD and reliance on God for victory.
2.
JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, ruled by Asa during this time. It was a period of relative peace and prosperity under Asa's leadership.
3.
Zerah the CushiteAn opposing military leader who came against Judah with a vast army. His defeat by Asa's forces is a testament to God's power and favor upon Judah.
4.
Tents of the HerdsmenRepresents the enemy's resources and wealth, which were seized by Asa's forces as part of their victory.
5.
JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, where Asa and his forces returned after their victory, symbolizing the restoration and security of the nation.
Teaching Points
Reliance on God for VictoryAsa's victory over Zerah the Cushite underscores the importance of relying on God rather than human strength or resources. In our lives, we should seek God's guidance and strength in our battles, whether spiritual, emotional, or physical.
The Spoils of VictoryThe capture of sheep and camels signifies the tangible blessings that can follow obedience and faithfulness to God. We should recognize and be grateful for the blessings that come from following God's will.
Return to the Place of WorshipAsa's return to Jerusalem after the victory symbolizes a return to worship and acknowledgment of God's role in our successes. We should always return to God in gratitude and worship after experiencing His deliverance.
The Importance of Spiritual LeadershipAsa's leadership brought about a period of peace and prosperity for Judah. Spiritual leaders today are called to guide their communities in faithfulness and reliance on God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 14:15?
2.How does 2 Chronicles 14:15 demonstrate God's provision in times of conflict?
3.What can we learn about God's power from 2 Chronicles 14:15?
4.How does this verse connect with God's promises in Deuteronomy 20:4?
5.How can we apply the victory in 2 Chronicles 14:15 to spiritual battles?
6.What role does faith play in the success described in 2 Chronicles 14:15?
7.What does 2 Chronicles 14:15 reveal about God's role in military victories?
8.How does 2 Chronicles 14:15 reflect the theme of divine intervention in battles?
9.What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Chronicles 14:15?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 14?
11.Did David dance nude before the Lord?
12.1 Chronicles 14:15 - Are there natural or archaeological explanations for the sound 'in the tops of the balsam trees' that signaled God's assistance in battle?
13.(2 Chronicles 17:6) How is the claim that Jehoshaphat removed high places consistent with other passages stating they persisted under various kings?
14.When did David bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem? Before defeating the Philistines or after? After (2 Samuel 5 and 6) Before (I Chronicles 13 and 14)What Does 2 Chronicles 14:15 Mean
They also attacked the tents of the herdsmen• After the rout of Zerah’s vast Cushite army (2 Chron 14:12-13), Asa’s forces press on to the enemy’s encampments.
• The “tents” highlight how exposed and unprotected these herdsmen were once God had broken the main resistance, much like Midian’s vulnerability inJudges 7:24-25.
• By including non-combatant supply points in the sweep, Judah ensures the Cushites cannot regroup—a principle echoed later when Jehoshaphat’s men “came to plunder” every remnant of their defeated foes (2 Chron 20:24-25).
and carried off many sheep and camels• Livestock constituted portable wealth; taking it was both payment for Judah’s trust in the LORD and a blow to the enemy economy (cf.1 Samuel 30:18-20 where David “recovered all … flocks and herds”).
• Camels, valuable for trade routes, show the scale of divine provision; God promised abundance when His people walked in obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-4).
• This plunder is not portrayed as greed but as God-granted spoil, paralleling Israel’s earlier deliverance from Egypt when they left “with great possessions” (Exodus 12:35-36).
Then they returned to Jerusalem• The army’s first destination after victory is the covenant city, underscoring that triumph leads back to worship, not self-promotion (2 Chron 15:8-9).
• Jerusalem is where Asa had already fortified the nation spiritually and militarily (2 Chron 14:2-6); coming home completes the cycle—seek God, gain victory, honor Him.
• Returning also protects the people from lingering in foreign influence and keeps their focus on the LORD, much like David bringing the ark to Jerusalem to center the nation on God (2 Samuel 6:17).
summary2 Chronicles 14:15 records the finishing touches of a God-given victory: Judah, empowered by the LORD, dismantles every last vestige of Cushite strength, gathers the wealth God places in their hands, and promptly heads home to worship. The verse teaches that when God grants deliverance, He also supplies provision, and the proper response is to return to Him with gratitude and renewed commitment.
(15)
They smote also the tents of cattle.--
And cattle tents (or
encampments)
, also they smote, i.e., hordes of nomad Bedawin whom they encountered in the desert about Gerar. (Comp.
1Chronicles 4:41, "smote their tents.")
Sheep and camels in abundance.--Sheep in abundance, and camels. The LXX. adds,??? ???? ???????????, apparently as the name of a tribe. Syriac and Arabic render, "And the tents of the Arabs."
Verse 15. -
The tents of cattle. This word "tents" (
אָהֲלֵי,
construct state) is used just 325 times, and this is the only time it is spoken of as the place of cattle; there are, however, four passages looking the same way (
Genesis 13:5;
Judges 6:5;
2 Kings 7:7;
Jeremiah 49:29). It is the word used for the tabernacle of the wilderness many times, and many times for the place of abode that has highest associations (
Psalm 15:1;
Psalm 118:15), and of the usual abodes of people (
2 Chronicles 10:16). The use of the word here, though unique, will occasion no surprise, considering the camping of the vast invading army.
Camels in abundance. The mention of this spoil reminds us both where we are, on desert border (
1 Samuel 27:7-10;
1 Samuel 30:16, 17), and what was the personality or nationality within some latitude of choice of the invaders.
Returned to Jerusalem. The expression awakens inevitably, though inaptly, a reminiscence of Scripture language in strangest contrast - the climax in a description also, but of a victory infinitely vaster and grander and for ever (
Luke 24:52;
Acts 1:12). This return of "Asa and the people that were with him" to Jerusalem dated the commencement of a period of comparative internal peace and reform for the kingdom of Judah, that lasted twenty-one years, and yet more of exemption from Egyptian attack, that lasted about three hundred and thirty years (B.C. circ. 940-609). It was a doubtful benefit, but Judah and Egypt came to be found in alliance against Assyria (
2 Kings 17:3-6;
2 Kings 18:20, 21, 24;
Isaiah 30:2;
Hosea 7:11). The 'Speaker's Commentary' points out the interesting fact that this was one of the only two occasions known of the Jews meeting in open field either Egypt or Assyria (the other occasion being the unfortunate one of Josiah against Necho, 2 Chronicles 35:30), and adds, "Shishak, Sennacherib, Esarhaddon, Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander, and Ptolemy I., were either unopposed or only opposed from behind wails."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
They alsoוְגַם־(wə·ḡam-)Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 1571:Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, andattackedהִכּ֑וּ(hik·kū)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5221:To strikethe tentsאָהֳלֵ֥י(’ā·ho·lê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 168:A tentof the herdsmenמִקְנֶ֖ה(miq·neh)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4735:Something bought, property, livestock, acquisitionand carried offוַיִּשְׁבּ֨וּ(way·yiš·bū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7617:To transport into captivitymanyלָרֹב֙(lā·rōḇ)Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7230:Multitude, abundance, greatnesssheepצֹ֤אן(ṣōn)Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629:Small cattle, sheep and goats, flockand camels.וּגְמַלִּ֔ים(ū·ḡə·mal·lîm)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1581:A camelThen they returnedוַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ(way·yā·šu·ḇū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, againto Jerusalem.יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃(yə·rū·šā·lim)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389:Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel
Links
2 Chronicles 14:15 NIV2 Chronicles 14:15 NLT2 Chronicles 14:15 ESV2 Chronicles 14:15 NASB2 Chronicles 14:15 KJV
2 Chronicles 14:15 BibleApps.com2 Chronicles 14:15 Biblia Paralela2 Chronicles 14:15 Chinese Bible2 Chronicles 14:15 French Bible2 Chronicles 14:15 Catholic Bible
OT History: 2 Chronicles 14:15 They struck also the tents of livestock (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) 
