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.

8Asa 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
(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
Sat10047-01-01 AA6 Aug -941 NS27 Apr 257 BAUC3664741 AAN
547-01-01 FE15 Aug -941 OS27 Apr 1010 BC1377584 JDN
Forward 300,000 days, 1 day/warrior of Judah
Sun10869-05-01 AA19 Dec -120 NS22 Jan 632 AUC3964741 AAN
1369-05-01 FE22 Dec -120 OS22 Jan 122 BC1677584 JDN
Forward 280,000 days, 1 day/warrior of Benjamin
Sun11636-11-11 AA1 Aug 647 NS29 Jul 1400 AUC4244741 AAN
2136-11-11 FE29 Jul 647 OS29 Jul 647 AD1957584 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.

9Zerah the Cushite marched out against them with a vast army and three hundred chariots, and came as far as Mareshah. 2 Chronicles 14:9-10
(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)
Sun11636-11-11 AA1 Aug 647 NS29 Jul 1400 AUC4244741 AAN
2136-11-11 FE29 Jul 647 OS29 Jul 647 AD1957584 JDN
1,000,000 men at 1/day
Mon14378-02-21 AA27 Jun 3385 NS4 Jun 4138 AUC5244741 AAN
4878-02-21 FE4 Jun 3385 OS4 Jun 3385 AD2957584 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
Tue9501-01-15 AA29 May -1486 NS21 Apr 912 BAUC3465615 AAN
1-01-15 FE11 Jun -1486 OS21 Apr 1665 BC1178458 JDN
1,000,000 men at 1/day
Wed12242-05-25 AA24 Apr 1252 NS17 Apr 2005 AUC4465615 AAN
2742-05-25 FE17 Apr 1252 OS17 Apr 1252 AD2178458 JDN
300 chariots at 600 days each
Fri12735-10-25 AA19 Feb 1745 NS8 Feb 2498 AUC4645615 AAN
3235-10-25 FE8 Feb 1744 OS8 Feb 1745 AD2358458 JDN

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