5 And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.
5 When Baasha heard this, he stopped building Ramah and abandoned his work.
5 And when Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah and let his work cease.
5 When Baasha got the report, he quit fortifying Ramah.
5 Now it happened, when Baasha heard it, that he stopped building Ramah and ceased his work.
5 As soon as Baasha of Israel heard what was happening, he abandoned his project of fortifying Ramah and stopped all work on it.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 16:5
Chapter Contents
Asa seeks the aid of the Syrians, His death.
A plain and faithful reproof was given to Asa by a prophet of the Lord, for making a league with Syria. God is displeased when he is distrusted, and when an arm of flesh is relied on, more than his power and goodness. It is foolish to lean on a broken reed, when we have the Rock of ages to rely upon. To convince Asa of his folly, the prophet shows that he, of all men, had no reason to distrust God, who had found him such a powerful Helper. The many experiences we have had of the goodness of God to us, aggravate our distrust of him. But see how deceitful our hearts are! we trust in God when we have nothing else to trust to, when need drives us to him; but when we have other things to stay on, we are apt to depend too much on them. Observe Asa's displeasure at this reproof. What is man, when God leaves him to himself! He that abused his power for persecuting God's prophet, was left to himself, to abuse it further for crushing his own subjects. Two years before he died, Asa was diseased in his feet. Making use of physicians was his duty; but trusting to them, and expecting that from them which was to be had from God only, were his sin and folly. In all conflicts and sufferings we need especially to look to our own hearts, that they may be perfect towards God, by faith, patience, and obedience.