2 Chronicles 16:11 (DRB)

Passage

But the works of Asa the first and last are written in the book of the kings of Juda and Israel.

Nearby Context

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord behold all the earth, and give strength to those who with a perfect heart trust in him. Wherefore thou hast done foolishly, and for this cause from this time wars shall arise against thee.

2 Chronicles 16:10 And Asa was angry with the seer, and commanded him to be put in prison: for he was greatly enraged because of this thing: and he put to death many of the people at that time.

2 Chronicles 16:11 But the works of Asa the first and last are written in the book of the kings of Juda and Israel.

2 Chronicles 16:12 And Asa fell sick in the nine and thirtieth year of his reign, of a most violent pain in his feet, and yet in his illness he did not seek the Lord, but rather trusted in the skill of physicians.

2 Chronicles 16:13 And he slept with his fathers: and he died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "works", "first", "last", "written", "book", "kings", "juda", and "israel". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "works" and "first", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 10's "And Asa was angry with the seer..." into verse 12's "And Asa fell sick in the nine...", so "works" and "first" belong inside that flow. In 2 Chronicles context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "works" and "first" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.