3
For he took away the altars of the strange [gods], and the high places, and broke down the images, and cut down the groves:
4
And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
5
Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
6
And he built fortified cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.
7
Therefore he said to Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about [them] walls, and towers, gates, and bars, [while] the land [is] yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought [him], and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built, and prospered.
8
And Asa had an army [of men] that bore targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bore shields and drew bows, two hundred and eighty thousand: all these [were] mighty men of valor.
9
And there came out against them Zerah the Cushite, with a host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came to Mareshah.
10
Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathath at Mareshah.
11
And Asa cried to the LORD his God, and said, LORD, [it is] nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou [art] our God; let not man prevail against thee.
12
So the LORD smote the Cushites before Asa, and before Judah; and the Cushites fled.
13
And Asa and the people that [were] with him pursued them to Gerar: and the Cushites were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.