2 Chronicles 16:1-6

Asa Wars against Baasha

1 In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign ¹Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent * anyone from going out or coming in to Asa king of Judah.

2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the king's house, and sent them to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who lived in Damascus, saying,

3 "Let there be a treaty between you and me, as between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent you silver and gold; go, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so that he will withdraw from me."

4 So Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, and they conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim and all ²the store cities of Naphtali.

5 When Baasha heard of it, he ceased fortifying Ramah and stopped his work.

6 Then King Asa brought all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had been building, and with them he fortified Geba and Mizpah.

2 Chronicles 16:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 16

Baasha coming up against Judah, and building Ramah, Asa made a league with the king of Syria, and hired him to make a diversion in his favour, and cause Baasha to leave off building, which succeeded, 2Ch 16:1-6, for which he was reproved by a prophet of the Lord, with whom he was so angry for it as to put him in prison, and oppress others, 2Ch 16:7,10, and the chapter is closed with an account of his disease and conduct under it, and of his death and burial, 2Ch 16:11-14.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Kings 15:17-22
• 2. Exodus 1:11

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "built"
• [b]. Lit "me and you"
• [c]. Lit "smote"
• [d]. Lit "storage places of the cities"
• [e]. Lit "building"
• [f]. Lit "built"