2 Chronicles 16:3 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 16:3 mean?

2 Chronicles 16:3 records King Asa of Judah sending a message to Ben-hadad, king of Syria, asking him to break his treaty with Baasha, king of Israel, in exchange for silver and gold. Asa wants Ben-hadad to turn against Israel so that Baasha will stop threatening Judah.

In this verse, Asa is appealing to an old alliance between their fathers and offering payment to secure Ben-hadad’s help. The situation is tense: Baasha, king of Israel, is building up defenses against Judah, and Asa is trying to use diplomacy and wealth to shift the balance of power by persuading Syria to abandon Israel and support Judah instead.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 16:3

• "league" (בְּרִית, berit): This word means a formal agreement or covenant. Asa refers to both a past and a present "league," highlighting the importance of official alliances in ancient politics.
• "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach): The word used for "sent" emphasizes Asa’s deliberate action in sending valuable gifts to influence Ben-hadad’s decision.
• "silver" (כֶּסֶף, keseph) and "gold" (זָהָב, zahav): These words point to the actual treasures Asa sends, showing the seriousness of his offer and the material nature of ancient diplomacy.
• "break" (פָּרַר, parar): This verb means to annul or dissolve an agreement. Asa is asking Ben-hadad to actively end his treaty with Baasha, not just ignore it.

Why 2 Chronicles 16:3 matters

• This verse shows how ancient kings used political alliances and wealth to influence international relations, rather than relying only on military force.
• The mention of past alliances ("as there was between my father and thy father") reveals how history and tradition shaped decisions and expectations among neighboring kingdoms.
• Understanding this verse helps clarify the larger story in 2 Chronicles 16, where Asa’s reliance on foreign help instead of trusting God becomes a key theme in the chapter.