War between Asa and Baasha

(1 Kings 15:16–22)

In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s [reign], Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah vvv to prevent [anyone] from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah. 2 So Asa withdrew the silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he sent it with this message to vvv Ben-hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus: 3 “[Let there be] a treaty[fn] between me and you [as there was] between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”

4 

And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, conquering Ijon, Dan, vvv Abel-maim,[fn] and all the store cities of Naphtali.

5 

When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and abandoned his work. 6 Then King Asa brought all [the men] of Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had used for building. And with [these materials] he built up Geba and Mizpah.

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