17 And (A)Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built (B)Ramah, (C)that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. 18 Then Asa took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the house of the Lord and the treasuries of the king’s house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants. And King Asa sent them to (D)Ben-Hadad the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, who dwelt in (E)Damascus, saying, 19 Let there be a treaty between you and me, as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you a present of silver and gold. Come and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”

20 So Ben-Hadad heeded King Asa, and (F)sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel. He attacked (G)Ijon, (H)Dan, (I)Abel Beth Maachah, and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali. 21 Now it happened, when Baasha heard it, that he stopped building Ramah, and remained in (J)Tirzah.

22 (K)Then King Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted. And they took away the stones and timber of Ramah, which Baasha had used for building; and with them King Asa built (L)Geba of Benjamin, and (M)Mizpah.

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends