The faith of Asa was put to a severe test when "Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots," invaded his kingdom. Verse 9. In this crisis Asa did not put his trust in the "fenced cities in Judah" that he had built, with "walls, and towers, gates, and bars," nor in the "mighty men of valor" in his carefully trained army. Verses 6-8. The king's trust was in Jehovah of hosts, in whose name marvelous deliverances had been wrought in behalf of Israel of old. Setting his forces in battle array, he sought the help of God.

Asas tro blev stillet på meget hård prøve, da "kusjitten Zera drog ud imod dem med en hær på 1,000.000 mand og 300 stridsvogne". 2Krøn 14,9. Under denne krise satte Asa ikke sin lid til de fæstninger, han havde bygget i Juda, og deres "mure og tårne, porte og portslåer" ej heller til de "dygtige krigere" i sin veluddannede hær. 6-8. vers. Kongen stolede på Hærskarers Herre, i hvis navn Israel var blevet udfriet så underfuldt fordum. Han opstillede sin hær til kamp og bad Gud om hjælp.