Old Testament · 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 16

War between Asa and Baasha

(1 Kings 15:16–22)

1In year thirty and six of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, so as not to allow going out and coming in to Asa king of Judah. 2And Asa brought out silver and gold from the treasures of the house of the LORD and the house of the king, and sent to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who was dwelling in Damascus, saying: 3"A covenant^a is between me and you, and between my father and your father; behold, I have sent you silver and gold; go, break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, that he may go up from upon me."

4And Ben-hadad listened to king Asa, and sent the commanders of the armies that he had against the cities of Israel, and they struck Ijon and Dan and Abel-maim, and all the store-cities of Naphtali.

5And it came to pass, when Baasha heard, that he ceased from building Ramah, and he caused his work to shabbat. 6And Asa the king took all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had built, and he built with them Geba and Mizpah.

Hanani’s Message to Asa

7And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: "Because you relied on the king of Aram, and did not rely on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. 8Were not the Cushites and the Lubim a great army, with chariot and horsemen exceedingly many? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He gave them into your hand. 9For the LORD, His eyes are roving through all the earth, to show Himself strong with those whose heart is whole toward Him. You have acted foolishly concerning this; for from now on there are wars with you."

10And Asa was angry at the seer, and put him in the house of the stocks, for he was in rage with him over this; and Asa crushed some of the people at that time.

The Death and Burial of Asa

11And behold, the acts of Asa, the first and the last, behold, they are written on the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 12And Asa became diseased in year thirty and nine of his reign, in his feet, up to extreme severity; yet also in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians.

13And Asa lay with his fathers, and died in year forty and one of his reign. 14And they buried him in his graves that he had dug for himself in the city of David, and laid him on the bed that was filled with spices and various kinds mixed by the perfumer's art; and they made for him a very great burning.