II Chronicles

aCf. 1 Kings 15.17–24. In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, King Baasha of Israel marched against Judah and built up Ramah to block all movementball movement Lit. “one who goes out and one who comes in.” on behalf of King Asa of Judah.

Asa took all the silver and gold from the treasuries of the House of GOD and the royal palace, and sent them to King Ben-hadad of Aram, who resided in Damascus, with this message:

“There is a pact between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. I herewith send you silver and gold; go and break your pact with King Baasha of Israel so that he may withdraw from me.”

Ben-hadad acceded to King Asa’s request; he sent his army officers against the towns of Israel and ravaged Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all the garrison towns of Naphtali.

When Baasha heard about it, he stopped building up Ramah and put an end to the work on it.

Then King Asa mustered all Judah, and they carried away the stones and timber with which Baasha had built up Ramah; with these King Asa built up Geba and Mizpah.

At that time, Hanani the seer came to King Asa of Judah and said to him, “Because you relied on the king of Aram and did not rely on the ETERNAL your God, therefore the army of the king of Aram has slipped out of your hands.

The Cushites and Libyans were a mighty army with chariots and riderscriders Or “horses”; see note at 8.6. in very great numbers, yet because you relied on GOD they were delivered into your hands.

For GOD’s eyes range over the entire earth, to give support to those who are wholehearted. You have acted foolishly in this matter, and from now on you will be beset by wars.”

Asa was vexed at the seer and put him into the stocks,dstocks Meaning of Heb. uncertain. for he was furious with him because of that. Asa inflicted cruelties on some of the people at that time.

The acts of Asa, early and late, are recorded in the annals of the kings of Judah and Israel.

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa suffered from an acute foot ailment; but ill as he was, he still did not turn to GOD but to physicians.

Asa rested with his ancestors. He died in the forty-first year of his reign

and was buried in the grave that he had made for himself in the City of David. He was laid in his resting-place, which was filled with spices of all kinds, expertly blended; a very great fire was made in his honor.