2 Chronicles 16:12
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Here's what strikes me as really significant in this verse: even when struck by a severe illness that was clearly life-threatening, Asa's first instinct wasn't to cry out to God, but to turn to human remedies. It's a stark reminder that our default settings can lead us to rely on what we can see and touch, rather than the One who truly holds all power.
In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but sought help from physicians.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Asa has just concluded a successful war against an invading Ethiopian army, largely due to his prayer and trust in God. However, in his later years, as he faces a serious illness, Asa turns away from the God who saved him, seeking human remedies instead of divine healing. This marks a significant spiritual decline for a king who had previously been a model of faith.
We all face times of sickness and suffering. But how we respond can reveal the true posture of our hearts. King Asa's story is a stark reminder.
The verse highlights a crucial distinction: seeking help from physicians and seeking the Lord.
Asa’s error wasn't in seeking medical attention, but in making it his primary and exclusive source of hope, excluding God entirely.
Asa was a king who had previously done much good in God's eyes. So why did he fail so dramatically here?
This wasn't a sudden lapse for Asa; it points to a deeper, ongoing issue.
A Pattern of Distrust
We see earlier in 2 Chronicles that Asa had already demonstrated a tendency to rely on human strength and alliances rather than God (e.g., 2 Chronicles 16:7-9, where he distrusted God's ability to deliver him from the Syrians and relied on an alliance with the king of Aram).
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Severity Breeds Desperation, Not Devotion
Even though his disease became "severe"—a situation that often drives people to desperate prayer—Asa's response was to deepen his reliance on human solutions. The severity of the trial exposed the shallowness of his previous faith when it came to personal vulnerability.
His failure wasn't just about his feet; it was about his feet of clay—his reliance on human means apart from divine trust.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
A title referring to the sovereign Creator and covenant-keeping God of Israel, identified by the personal name Yahweh. It denotes His supreme authority and His relational presence with His people.
rophe'im · Hebrew Noun
An ancient medical practitioner or one who uses arts and remedies to treat illness. Biblically, seeking physicians is not condemned inherently, but the failure to seek God in the context of illness is presented as a spiritual lapse.
Asa's story is a poignant reminder that even long-term faithfulness can falter, and that our trust in God must be consistent, especially in times of personal crisis and suffering.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
After Solomon's death, the united kingdom of Israel splits into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. Asa rules over Judah.
c. 913 BC
Asa Begins Reign in Judah
Asa becomes king of Judah and reigns for 41 years. He is known for his devotion to God, removing idols and promoting true worship.
c. 908 BC
Asa's Military Victories
Asa achieves significant victories against the larger armies of the Kingdom of Israel and Cushites, attributing his success to God's help.
c. 890 BC
Asa's Conflict with Baasha
King Baasha of Israel wages war against Judah, building fortifications. Asa bribes the Arameans to attack Israel's northern territory, forcing Baasha to withdraw.
c. 877 BC— this verse
Asa's Disease and Death
In his 39th year of reign (around 877 BC), Asa becomes severely ill in his feet. Despite his past faithfulness, he turns to physicians instead of seeking the Lord for healing.
c. 877 BC
Jehoshaphat Succeeds Asa
Upon Asa's death, his son Jehoshaphat becomes king of Judah, continuing to rule with devotion to God.
This passage warns against trusting in people or human strength, directly mirroring Asa's sin of seeking physicians instead of the Lord.
Psalm 103:3This verse highlights God's healing power and His role as the forgiver of sins, contrasting sharply with Asa's decision to rely on medical means alone.
1 Corinthians 10:13This verse assures believers that God provides a way out of temptation and suffering, a promise Asa neglected by not turning to Him in his time of need.
Isaiah 26:3This passage speaks of God's peace for those who keep their minds fixed on Him, a state Asa abandoned by focusing on his physical ailment and worldly solutions.
Here's what strikes me as really significant in this verse: even when struck by a severe illness that was clearly life-threatening, Asa's first instinct wasn't to cry out to God, but to turn to human remedies. It's a stark reminder that our default settings can lead us to rely on what we can see and touch, rather than the One who truly holds all power.
King Asa has just concluded a successful war against an invading Ethiopian army, largely due to his prayer and trust in God. However, in his later years, as he faces a serious illness, Asa turns away from the God who saved him, seeking human remedies instead of divine healing. This marks a significant spiritual decline for a king who had previously been a model of faith.
King Asa has just concluded a successful war against an invading Ethiopian army, largely due to his prayer and trust in God. However, in his later years, as he faces a serious illness, Asa turns away from the God who saved him, seeking human remedies instead of divine healing. This marks a significant spiritual decline for a king who had previously been a model of faith.
"In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but sought help from physicians." — Here's what strikes me as really significant in this verse: even when struck by a severe illness that was clearly life-threatening, Asa's first instinct wasn't to cry out to God, but to turn to human…
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Last reviewed October 2026
