Research Report on Second Chronicles 14

The large counts of people found in the Bible are often prophetic for large intervals of time. This report looks at a time when Judah defended itself from Ethiopians.

Background

Huge counts, typically census counts, are prophetic for large intervals in world history. In this case Asa’s army is victorious against the Ethiopians. The following is the census.

Asa had an army of three hundred thousand men from Judah, equipped with large shields and with spears, and two hundred and eighty thousand from Benjamin, armed with small shields and with bows. All these were brave fighting men. (2 Chronicles 14:8 NIV)

This particular battle appears to take place after 10 years of rest, so the natural starting point for this story is the 1st day of the 11th year of Asa’s reign. The following report shows the intervals suggested by this census.

Abijah’s reign is likely the starting point for this prophetic interval. The following is the report.

Prophetic Dates from Second Chronicles 14
Start of Asa’s Battles
Sat	10047-01-01 AA	6 Aug -941 NS	27 Apr 257 BAUC	3664741 AAN
Sat	547-01-01 FE	15 Aug -941 OS	27 Apr 1010 BC	1377584 JDN
Forward 300,000 days, 1 day/warrior of Judah
Sun	10869-05-01 AA	19 Dec -120 NS	22 Jan 632 AUC	3964741 AAN
Sun	1369-05-01 FE	22 Dec -120 OS	22 Jan 122 BC	1677584 JDN
Forward 280,000 days, 1 day/warrior of Benjamin
Sun	11636-11-11 AA	1 Aug 647 NS	29 Jul 1400 AUC	4244741 AAN
Sun	2136-11-11 FE	29 Jul 647 OS	29 Jul 647 AD	1957584 JDN

The late 600s is a time of major prophetic changes, this story may be pointing at detailed stories within the century. Unknown.

Ethiopian Counts

The Ethiopian army census is also given in this account.

Zerah the Cushite marched out against them with a vast army and three hundred chariots, and came as far as Mareshah. (2 Chronicles 14:9 NIV)

It is possible these follow in direct succession... If so the following is the report.

Prophetic Dates from Second Chronicles 14
End of Benjamin (from above)
Sun	11636-11-11 AA	1 Aug 647 NS	29 Jul 1400 AUC	4244741 AAN
Sun	2136-11-11 FE	29 Jul 647 OS	29 Jul 647 AD	1957584 JDN
1,000,000 men at 1/day
Mon	14378-02-21 AA	27 Jun 3385 NS	4 Jun 4138 AUC	5244741 AAN
Mon	4878-02-21 FE	4 Jun 3385 OS	4 Jun 3385 AD	2957584 JDN

Off the charts, though still possible.

Alternative -- "Came Out"

More likely the expression "came out" is a reference to an Exodus event, either the Exodus itself or a prophetic parallel. Since the Ethiopians are from Africa the original Exodus is a likely starting point.

Like other Chariot related stories, these chariots are also likely at a rate of 600 to 1. The following report summarizes this scenario.

Prophetic Dates from Second Chronicles 14 -- Cont.
Exodus From Egypt
Tue	9501-01-15 AA	29 May -1486 NS	21 Apr 912 BAUC	3465615 AAN
Tue	1-01-15 FE	11 Jun -1486 OS	21 Apr 1665 BC	1178458 JDN
1,000,000 men at 1/day
Wed	12242-05-25 AA	24 Apr 1252 NS	17 Apr 2005 AUC	4465615 AAN
Wed	2742-05-25 FE	17 Apr 1252 OS	17 Apr 1252 AD	2178458 JDN
300 chariots at 600 days each
Fri	12735-10-25 AA	19 Feb 1745 NS	8 Feb 2498 AUC	4645615 AAN
Fri	3235-10-25 FE	8 Feb 1744 OS	8 Feb 1745 AD	2358458 JDN

This interval skips through a period in the mid-1200s and then ends within 12 days of Naphtali’s seal date.

Phil Stone 2008-09-18