2 Chronicles 16:9

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, etc.] The eyes of his omniscience are everywhere, and the eyes of his mercy and goodness, of his care and providence, are here and there, and in every place throughout the whole world at once, (see <380410>Zechariah 4:10), to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him; or, as in the margin, “strongly to hold” with such, to be on their side, take their part, strengthen them, support and supply them, and to protect and defend them who are sincere and upright in heart; whose graces are sincere and unfeigned, though not complete, nor they free from sin, and who, with the heart, sincerely believe…”

“The rebuke of Hanani and his imprisonment by Asa, omitted by the writer of Kings, are among the most important of the additions to Asa’s history for which we are indebted to the author of Chronicles. 2 Chronicles 16:7 Escaped out of thine hand - Hanani means, “Hadst thou been faithful, and opposed in arms the joint host of Israel and Syria, instead of bribing the Syrian king to desert to thy side, the entire host would have been delivered into thy hand, as was Zerah’s. But now it is escaped from thee. Thou hast lost a glorious opportunity.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 From henceforth thou shalt have wars - As peace had been the reward of Asa’s earlier faith 2Ch 14:5; 2 Chronicles 15:5, so his want of…”

“Done foolishly - It is a foolish thing to lean on a broken reed, when we have the rock of ages to rely upon. Perfect - Upright and sincere, as thine is not. He was sincere in the general course of his life, but some particulars, whereof this is one, his heart did not perfectly cleave to God. 2 Chronicles 16:12”

“the eyes: Ch2 6:20; Job 34:21; Psa 34:15, Psa 113:6; Pro 5:21, Pro 15:3; Jer 16:17, Jer 32:19; Zac 4:10; Heb 4:13; Pe1 3:12 to show himself: etc. or, strongly to hold with them, etc. whose heart. Ch2 15:17; Kg2 20:3; Psa 37:37 Herein: Sa1 13:13; Sa2 12:7-12; Ch1 21:8; Job 34:18, Job 34:19; Jer 5:21; Mat 5:22; Luk 12:20; Co1 15:36; Gal 3:1 henceforth: Kg1 15:32 2 Chronicles 16:10”

“"For Jahve, His eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong with those whose heart is devoted to Him;" i.e., for Jahve, who looks forth over all the earth, uses every opportunity wonderfully to succour those who are piously devoted to Him. עם התחזק, to help mightily, as in Ch1 11:10. אליו שׁלם עם־לבבם is a relative sentence without the relative אשׁר with עם; cf. Ch1 15:12. "Thou hast done foolishly, therefore," scil. because thou hast set thy trust upon men instead of upon Jahve, "for from henceforth there shall be wars to thee" (thou shalt have war). In these words the prophet does not announce to Asa definite wars, but only expresses the general idea that Asa by…”