17
And Baashaking of Israel went up against Judah, and builtRamah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asaking of Judah.
18
Then Asatook all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king'shouse, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and kingAsasent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion,king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus,saying,
19
There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold;come and break thy league with Baashaking of Israel, that he may depart[a] from me.
20
So Benhadadhearkened unto kingAsa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smoteIjon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.
21
And it came to pass, when Baashaheard thereof, that he left offbuilding of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.
22
Then kingAsa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted:[b] and they took away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and kingAsabuilt with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
In this chapter we have a short history of the reign of Abijam, 1Ki 15:1-8 and of Asa, 1Ki 14:9-24, both kings of Judah; and of the reigns of Nadab the son of Jeroboam, and of Baasha, who destroyed his family, both kings of Israel, 1Ki 15:25-34.