9
So in the twentieth year of Jeroboam, king of Israel, reigned Asa, king of Juda,
10
And he reigned one and forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacha, the daughter of Abessalom.
11
And Asa did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, as did David, his father:
12
And he took away the effeminate out of the land, and removed all the filth of the idols, which his fathers had made.
13
Moreover, he also removed his mother, Maacha, from being the princess in the sacrifices of Priapus, and in the grove which she had consecrated to him: and he destroyed her den, and broke in pieces the filthy idol, and burnt it by the torrent Cedron:
14
But the high places he did not take away. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was perfect with the Lord all his days:
15
And he brought in the things which his father had dedicated, and he had vowed, into the house of the Lord, silver and gold, and vessels.
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And there was war between Asa, and Baasa, king of Israel, all their days.
17
And Baasa, king of Israel, went up against Juda, and built Rama, that no man might go out or come in of the side of Asa, king of Juda.
18
Then Asa took all the silver and gold that remained in the treasures of the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and delivered it into the hands of his servants: and sent them to Benadad, son of Tabremon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying:
19
There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: therefore I have sent thee presents of silver and gold: and I desire thee to come, and break thy league with Baasa, king of Israel, that he may depart from me.