1 In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha
king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he
might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
2 Then
Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD
and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at
Damascus, saying,
3 There is a league between me and thee, as there was between
my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break
thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
4 And
Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against
the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the
store cities of Naphtali.
5 And
it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of
Ramah, and let his work cease.
6 Then
Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the
timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and
Mizpah.
7 And
at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him,
Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy
God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
8 Were
not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and
horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into
thine hand.
9 For
the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself
strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect
toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou
shalt have wars.
10 Then
Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in
a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of
the people the same time.
11 And,
behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written
in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
12 And
Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until
his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD,
but to the physicians.
13 And
Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.
14 And
they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the
city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and
divers kinds of spices prepared
by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.
