1
In the thirty-sixthyear of Asa'sreignBaashaking of Israelcame up againstJudah and fortifiedRamah in order to prevent* anyone from going out or coming in to Asaking of Judah.
2
Then Asabrought out silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the king'shouse, and sent them to Ben-hadadking of Aram, who lived in Damascus, saying,
3
"Let there be a treatybetween you and me, as between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent you silver and gold; go, break your treaty with Baashaking of Israel so that he will withdraw from me."
4
So Ben-hadadlistened to KingAsa and sent the commanders of his armiesagainst the cities of Israel, and they conqueredIjon, Dan, Abel-maim and all the storecities of Naphtali.
6
Then KingAsabroughtallJudah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with whichBaasha had been building, and with them he fortifiedGeba and Mizpah.
7
At that timeHanani the seercame to Asaking of Judah and said to him, "Because you have relied on the king of Aram and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore* the army of the king of Aram has escaped out of your hand.
8
"Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim an immensearmy with verymanychariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand.
9
"For the eyes of the LORDmove to and frothroughout the earth that He may stronglysupport those whose heart is completely His. You have actedfoolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely havewars."
12
In the thirty-ninth*year of his reignAsabecamediseased in his feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians.
14
They buried him in his own tombwhich he had cut out for himself in the city of David, and they laid him in the restingplacewhich he had filled with spices of various kindsblended by the perfumers'*art; and they made a very*greatfire for him.