2 Chronicles 16:14
They buried him in the tomb that he had cut for himself in the city of David. They laid him on a bier that had been filled with various kinds of spices prepared by the perfumer’s art, and they made a very great fire in his honor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Even in death, King Asa’s monumental funeral, filled with elaborate perfumes and a great fire, echoes the immense resources he poured into his own earthly legacy. This lavish send-off, while seemingly an honor, stands in stark contrast to the true security he found not in self-made tombs or perfumer’s art, but in relying wholly on God.
King Asa has just faced a devastating defeat and sickness after he foolishly relied on human alliances instead of God's help. This passage describes the elaborate funeral for Asa, highlighting the opulent burial rites and the massive funeral pyre, which was a significant departure from the more modest burials of his ancestors, hinting at a shift in royal practice and perhaps his own pride. The mourning period was intense, but the excessive display might also cast a subtle shadow over his reign's end, given his earlier unfaithfulness.
King Asa, known for his reforms, ends his life with a lavish, self-commissioned funeral. What does this final act reveal about his reign and our own desires?
This verse presents a stark contrast between Asa's spiritual reforms and his ultimate earthly legacy. He is buried in a tomb he prepared for himself – a powerful symbol of a life focused on his own glory and provision, even in death. The elaborate funeral, filled with expensive spices and a great fire, underscores a desire for a grand remembrance. Yet, the Bible often points out that true legacy isn't built on earthly grandeur or self-made monuments, but on faithfulness to God.
Asa's reign started strong, with a deep reliance on God that brought victory. However, in later years, he relied on human strength and alliances, and now his funeral seems to reflect this shift – a final act of self-sufficiency, even in death.
The details of Asa's funeral are incredibly specific – spices, perfumer's art, and a great fire. What are these details meant to communicate?
The 'various kinds of spices prepared by the perfumer’s art' and the 'very great fire' were markers of immense wealth and honor in ancient times. These weren't just everyday burial practices; they were reserved for royalty and signified immense earthly prestige. This wasn't just a burial; it was a performance, a final declaration of Asa's status and importance.
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However, this extravagant display stands in contrast to the biblical emphasis on inner purity and spiritual devotion over outward show. While the spices might offer a pleasant scent, they ultimately fade. The fire, meant to honor him, is also transient. The ultimate question this passage poses is: what truly endures?
Understand the original words
qeber · Hebrew Noun
The place where a deceased person is interred. In the biblical narrative, burials are significant markers of legacy and the hope of resurrection.
besamim · Hebrew Noun
Aromatic substances used for embalming or honoring the dead. The use of spices reflects the high status of the deceased and serves as a cultural act of respect during mourning.
The opulent burial practices described highlight the wealth and status of Judah's kings, even as the narrative critiques Asa's later decisions and reliance on human alliances over God.
c. 975 BC
Reign of Solomon Begins
Solomon becomes king and presides over a period of peace and prosperity, marked by the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
Following Solomon's death, the united monarchy splits into two kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south.
c. 910 BC
Reign of Asa Begins (Judah)
Asa begins his long reign in Judah, known for his initial religious reforms and military successes.
c. 870 BC
Reign of Ahab Begins (Israel)
Ahab's reign in the northern kingdom of Israel is marked by significant foreign influence and religious conflict.
c. 873 BC
Asa's War with Baasha
King Baasha of Israel attacks Judah, leading Asa to seek an alliance with the Aramean king of Damascus.
c. 873 BC— this verse
Asa's Illness and Death
Asa falls ill with a severe foot disease in his old age, eventually dying after a reign of 41 years.
This passage describes the death of Asa, the king mentioned in 2 Chronicles 16:14, and confirms his burial and a peaceful end to his reign, offering context to the opulent burial described.
Jeremiah 22:18-19This prophetic oracle condemns a king for a similar extravagant burial, warning that his lineage will be disgraced and his body left unburied, highlighting the potential emptiness of such displays when not accompanied by justice.
Matthew 27:59-60This passage describes Jesus' burial, noting that Joseph of Arimathea laid Jesus in his own *new* tomb, echoing the idea of a king preparing a burial place, though with very different motivations and outcomes.
Luke 7:37-38This account of the sinful woman anointing Jesus with perfume offers a parallel to the elaborate use of spices and fragrant oils in burial customs, showing how such precious items were used to honor significant figures.
Even in death, King Asa’s monumental funeral, filled with elaborate perfumes and a great fire, echoes the immense resources he poured into his own earthly legacy. This lavish send-off, while seemingly an honor, stands in stark contrast to the true security he found not in self-made tombs or perfumer’s art, but in relying wholly on God.
King Asa has just faced a devastating defeat and sickness after he foolishly relied on human alliances instead of God's help. This passage describes the elaborate funeral for Asa, highlighting the opulent burial rites and the massive funeral pyre, which was a significant departure from the more modest burials of his ancestors, hinting at a shift in royal practice and perhaps his own pride. The mourning period was intense, but the excessive display might also cast a subtle shadow over his reign's end, given his earlier unfaithfulness.
King Asa has just faced a devastating defeat and sickness after he foolishly relied on human alliances instead of God's help. This passage describes the elaborate funeral for Asa, highlighting the opulent burial rites and the massive funeral pyre, which was a significant departure from the more modest burials of his ancestors, hinting at a shift in royal practice and perhaps his own pride. The mourning period was intense, but the excessive display might also cast a subtle shadow over his reign's end, given his earlier unfaithfulness.
"They buried him in the tomb that he had cut for himself in the city of David. They laid him on a bier that had been filled with various kinds of spices prepared by the perfumer’s art, and they made a very great fire in his honor." — Even in death, King Asa’s monumental funeral, filled with elaborate perfumes and a great fire, echoes the immense resources he poured into his own earthly legacy. This lavish send-off, while seemingl…
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