2 Chronicles 16

1 In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of Jehovah and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben-hadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,3 There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.4 And Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel-maim, and all the store-cities of Naphtali.5 And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building Ramah, and let his work cease.6 Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and hast not relied on Jehovah thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand.8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge host, with chariots and horsemen exceeding many? yet, because thou didst rely on Jehovah, he delivered them into thy hand.9 For the eyes of Jehovah run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; for from henceforth thou shalt have wars.10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in the prison-house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people at the same time.11 And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.12 And in the thirty and ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet; his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to Jehovah, but to the physicians.13 And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.14 And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had hewn out for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odors and divers kinds of spices prepared by the perfumers’ art: and they made a very great burning for him.

2 Chronicles 16

Asa’s Failures

1 In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, King Baasha of Israel attacked Judah, and he established Ramah as a military outpost to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the land of King Asa of Judah.t2 Asa took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple and of the royal palace and sent it to King Ben Hadad of Syria, ruler in Damascus, along with this message:3 “I want to make a treaty with you, like the one our fathers made.t See, I have sent you silver and gold. Break your treaty with King Baasha of Israel, so he will retreat from my land.”t4 Ben Hadad accepted King Asa’s offer and ordered his army commanders to attack the cities of Israel.t They conqueredt Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim,s and all the storage cities of Naphtali.5 When Baasha heard the news, he stopped fortifyingt Ramah and abandoned the project.t

6 King Asa ordered all the men of Judah to carry away the stones and wood that Baasha had used to build Ramah.t He used the materials to build upt Geba and Mizpah.
7 At that time Hanani the prophett visited King Asa of Judah and said to him: “Because you relied on the king of Syria and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand.8 Did not the Cushites and Libyans have a huge army with chariots and a very large number of horsemen? But when you relied on the Lord, he handed them over to you!9 Certainlyt the Lord watches the whole earth carefullyt and is ready to strengthen those who are devoted to him.t You have acted foolishly in this matter; from now on you will have war.

10 Asa was so angry at the prophet, he put him in jail.t Asa also oppressed some of the people at that time.

Asa’s Reign Ends

11 The events of Asa’s reign, from start to finish, are recorded in the Scroll of the Kings of Judah and Israel.t12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a foot disease.t Though his disease was severe, he did not seek the Lord, but only the doctors.t13 Asa passed awayt in the forty-first year of his reign.

14 He was buried in the tomb he had carved out in the City of David.s They laid him to rest on a bier covered with spices and assorted mixtures of ointments. They made a huge bonfire to honor him.t