1 Kings 15:9-24 - The Reign Of Asa In Judah

⁹ The twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa began to reign over Judah, ¹⁰ and ruled in Jerusalem forty one years. And his mother's name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.

¹¹ And Asa did that seemed right in the eyes of the LORD, like David his father. ¹² And he made the stews of males depart the land, and put away all the idols that his fathers had made. ¹³ And thereto he put down Maacah his mother from bearing rule, because she had made an idol in a grove. And Asa destroyed her idol and burnt it by the brook Kidron. ¹⁴ But he put not down the hill altars. Nevertheless, Asa's heart was whole with the LORD all his days. ¹⁵ And he brought in that which his father had dedicated, and the things dedicated unto the house of the LORD; silver, gold, and jewels.

¹⁶ And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. ¹⁷ And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, because that he would let none of Asa's people, king of Judah, go in or out. ¹⁸ Then Asa took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasure of the house of the LORD, and all the treasure of the king's house and delivered it unto his servants, and sent them to Benhadad the son of Tabrimmon the son of Hezion king of Syria that dwelt at Damascus, saying, ¹⁹ "There is a bond between thee and me as was between thy father and mine. Therefore, I send thee both gold and silver for a gift, that thou go and break the covenant between thee and Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me."

²⁰ And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, Dan, Abel called Bethmaacah and all Chinnereth with all the land of Naphtali. ²¹ And when Baasha heard that, he left building of Ramah and dwelt in Tirzah. ²² Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah, that none should be excused. And they took the stones of Ramah and the timber wherewith Baasha had built, and king Asa built therewith Geba in Benjamin and Mizphah.

²³ And the remnant of all the deeds of Asa and of all his might and of all that he did, and the cities which he built, are written in the chronicles of the acts done in the days of the kings of Judah. Neverthelater, in his old age he was diseased in his feet. ²⁴ And Asa laid him to rest with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father. And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his room.

¹ And when Abijah was laid to sleep with his fathers, they buried him in the city of David, and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In whose days the land was quiet ten years.

² And Asa did that was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God, ³ and took away the altars of strangers and the hill altars, and brake the Images and cut down the groves, ⁴ and commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do according to the law and commandment. ⁵ And he put away out of all the cities of Judah, the hill altars and the idols: for the kingdom was quiet before him.

⁶ And he built strong cities in Judah: because the land was in rest, and he had no war in those year. For the LORD had given him rest. ⁷ And therefore he said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and compass them with walls and towers, gates and bars, while we have the land quiet. For we have sought the LORD our God: and because we have sought him, he hath given us rest on every side." And so they built and prospered.

⁸ And Asa had an army that bare shield and spear, out of Judah three hundred thousand, and out of Benjamin that bare shield and drew bows two hundred and eighty thousand, and were all strong men. ⁹ And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an Host of ten hundred thousand, and three hundred chariots, and came as far as Mareshah. ¹⁰ And Asa went out to him, and they put in array to battle in the valley of Zephathah beside Mareshah.

¹¹ And Asa cried unto the LORD his God and said, "LORD, it is all one with thee to help them that have no power, with few or with many: help us O LORD our God, for we trust to thee, and in thine name be come against this multitude. Thou art the LORD our God: let not man prevail against thee."

¹² And the LORD smote the black Moors before Asa and Judah, that they fled. ¹³ And Asa, and the people that was with him, followed after them as far as Gerar. And the black Moors were overthrown, that there bode none alive of them, but were destroyed of the LORD and of his Host. And they carried away a mighty great prey. ¹⁴ And they smote all the cities round about Gerar. For the fear of the LORD came upon them. And they robbed all the cities, for there was exceeding much to be robbed in them. ¹⁵ And thereto they smote the tents of cattle and carried away plenty of sheep and camels, and returned to Jerusalem.