And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that [was] before the porch of the LORD.
Ver. 8. And when Asa heard these words.] He was zealous for God before, but now his heart, was all on a light flame for God. "Did not our hearts burn within us, whilst he opened unto us the Scriptures?" said those two disciples travelling to Emmaus. Luk 24:32 Together with Christ's words there went forth a power. Luk 5:15
And the prophecy of Oded.] That is, Of Azariah, son of Oded.
He put away the abominable idols.] St Peter speaketh of "abominable idolatry." 1Pe 4:3 Some Papists would hence infer that there is some idolatry not abominable, so loath are idolaters that their asses' ears should be seen. Some think that Asa now purged out this abomination, quaestione domesticatim habita, a by narrow search made from house to house.
And out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim.] Where the Ethiopians haply had left some of their spawn, as toads and other vermin leave their slime and filth congealed behind them.
And renewed the altar of the Lord,] i.e., Repaired it, being decayed, and offered on it very many sacrifices.
a Jun.