Asa then took the silver and gold out of the treasuries of the Lord’s temple and of his own palace and sent it to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus.(A) “Let there be a treaty(B) between me and you,” he said, “as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.”

Ben-Hadad agreed with King Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel. They conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim[a] and all the store cities of Naphtali.(C) When Baasha heard this, he stopped building Ramah and abandoned his work. Then King Asa brought all the men of Judah, and they carried away from Ramah the stones and timber Baasha had been using. With them he built up Geba and Mizpah.(D)

At that time Hanani(E) the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: “Because you relied(F) on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. Were not the Cushites[b](G) and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers(H) of chariots and horsemen[c]? Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered(I) them into your hand. For the eyes(J) of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish(K) thing, and from now on you will be at war.(L)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 16:4 Also known as Abel Beth Maakah
  2. 2 Chronicles 16:8 That is, people from the upper Nile region
  3. 2 Chronicles 16:8 Or charioteers

19 When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, Jehu(A) the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, “Should you help the wicked(B) and love[a] those who hate the Lord?(C) Because of this, the wrath(D) of the Lord is on you. There is, however, some good(E) in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles(F) and have set your heart on seeking God.(G)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 19:2 Or and make alliances with

Bible Gateway Recommends