Hanani the seer. The record of vs. 7-10 is not found in Kings. Nothing beyond what is here told is known of Hanani, unless he was the father of Jehu, the seer who prophesied against Baasha (1 Kings 16:1-4, 7) and Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 19:2).
Because thou hast relied. This reliance on a heathen king displayed Asa’s lack of faith in God. Hanani’s rebuke of Asa is in line with the messages of other prophets of God (see Isa. 30:1, 2, 7, 15-17; 31:1,3; Jer. 17:5; Hosea 5:13; 7:11; 12:1).
Escaped. Although Asa had hired Benhadad as an ally, Syria was still an enemy of Judah rather than a friend. No doubt Asa had been fearful that Benhadad would assist the Israelites in their measures against Judah, and in this he was unquestionably correct. By his politic act he had turned away the king of Israel, but by faith in God he might have won a victory over the combined forces of Israel and Syria. It was not the Lord’s purpose that His people should be at the mercy of their enemies, and it was only when they turned against the Lord or displayed lack of confidence in Him that they suffered defeat. If the faith and courage of Asa had not failed on this occasion, his kingdom might have been greatly enlarged and the name of the Lord magnified among the nations of earth.